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(Map updated: 11 August 2009)

This classic species of open ground grows along the edge of peat hags, especially on the eroded peat plateaux of some of Ireland’s mountain tops. You would be forgiven for thinking that the thallus was a just a scrap of detached Hypogymnia physodes which has strayed into this habitat, but look closer and you will see that the thallus is scaly and that the larger scales have lip-shaped soralia. In among the same habitat will be Cladonia species and the mushroom-producing lichens of the genus Lichenomphalina.

Key characteristics

• Thallus of thick squamules, grey to green-grey with sorediate edges; like small Hypogymnia physodes
• On the exposed edges of large peat hags; upland.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini