Xanthoparmelia subochracea is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. Found in Southern Africa, it was formally described as a new species in 1986 by the American lichenologist Mason Hale. The type specimen was collected from Cape Province at an elevation of about , where it was found growing on exfoliating granite outcrops in karoo vegetation. The lichen thallus, which is closely attached to its rock , is bright yellowish green and measures in diameter. The making up the thallus are somewhat irregularly shaped and are 1.5âÂÂ2.5 mm wide, with rotund, black-rimmed tips. It contains protocetraric acid, usnic acid and skyrin.