Parmelia

noun

Par·​me·​lia

pärˈmēlēə,

-lyə

: a large genus (the type of the family Parmeliaceae) of chiefly alpine foliaceous lichens having cortex on both surfaces of a closely appressed thallus and including several that are important sources of purple and brown dyestuffs especially in Scotland, Wales, and Scandinavia see crottle

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, probably irregular from Latin parma small shield

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