Click on the image to enlarge it in a new window

© Mike Simms

Click on map to open large map in new window
(Map updated: 11 August 2009)

This is a characteristic, dark brown to black, foliose to shrubby species typical of sandy or heathy places or moor-edge habitat. It is a more robust version of C. muricata (described elsewhere) which is essentially restricted to deadwood. C. aculeata has longer, wider (to 1mm) and more flattened branches (with spiny projections) forming loose, somewhat untidy clumps on dry, peaty soils. It is frequent in suitable upland habitats throughout Ireland but is rarer in the south.

Key characteristics

• The habitat and tough, shiny dark brown to black, rather spiky appearance helps to indicate this species
• The similar Cetraria muricata is smaller with more rounded branches and rarely grows on soil.

NBN Atlas mapping: Species account : NBN Atlas UK Species Observations database

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database

Original text submitted by Simon Davey