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(Map updated: 11 August 2009)

In the early phase of its development this is one of the most attractive of the ‘dog lichens’ on account of the neat, ear-shaped rosettes of small lobes (c. 3cm diam.) bearing whitish, powdery, ulcer-like soralia, spotted across the surface. Later, as the thallus expands, the marks left by the soralia leave faint scars which disappear just as the small, upright, white-felted lobes begin to form discs. This is a lichen characteristic of recent ground disturbance, so is frequent in urban areas on acid lawns, path edges and around burnt patches of ground. Throughout Ireland.

Key characteristics

• A two-phase ‘dog lichen’: the first with ear-shaped lobes and white soredia; the later phase with lobe scars and discs held vertically, pleading almost
• Always on disturbed soils — newly seeded embankments, allotments, etc.

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

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini