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(Map updated: 11 August 2009)

The small, reddish-brown, cushion-like thallus of this species is rather granular or scaly. It overgrows decaying mosses and liverworts in gritty soil pockets among moist, flaky schistose rocks. It is a species of high ridges and exposed mountain tops. In Ireland there are nineteenth-century records from Kylemore in Connemara, County Galway.

Key characteristics

• Thallus red-brown forming tiny, cushion-like buttons on eroding mountain soils (especially mica schists)
• Presumed extinct in Ireland though a thorough search of the former habitat is required.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini