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(Map updated: 11 August 2009)

Thallus grey-green, shrubby or brittle-tufted comprising numerous narrow, flattened subdividing branches just a few millimetres wide at most. The entire plant is anchored by a stout, compact holdfast. Circular white spots seen along the margins of the branches (soralia) contain a fine, floury mixture of fungal hyphae and algae (soredia). It is very rarely fertile. Trees and shrubs, especially hedges and scrub, less frequent on rocks.

Key characteristics

• A highly conspicuous shrubby tree lichen with narrow, flattened, white-spotted branches
• Branches are never yellowish or white below.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini