Distribution: Washington; Alaska to northern California, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota to Maine, south to Missouri and Maryland; Canada.
Habitat: In full sun.
Substrate: Dry, sandy, calcareous soils.
Conservation Status: Not of concern
Thallus grey to brownish, heavy tomentum on upper surface of lobes. Rhizines abundant, forming a mat. Apothecia red-brown, common.
PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Peltigera rufescens in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database
CalPhotos: Peltigera rufescens photos