Xanthoparmelia surrogata is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. Found in South Africa, it was formally described as a new species in 1986 by the American lichenologist Mason Hale. The type specimen was collected by Hale from a large flat Table Mountain sandstone boulder in fynbos vegetation, at an elevation of . The lichen thallus is dull yellowish green in color, has a leathery texture, and measures broad. Although it does not produce apothecia (fruiting bodies), pycnidia (asexual fruiting bodies) are common; these structures produce conidia (asexual spores) that have a shape and measure 0.5 by 5âÂÂ6 üm. The lichen contains salazinic acid, usnic acid, and skyrin.