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(Map updated: 11 August 2009)

This rather uncommon crustose lichen grows on decaying moss and vascular plant vegetation on the exposed soils of disturbed ground such as collapsing cliffs, sand dunes and metal mines. The scruffy, granular-warted thallus is often poorly developed, brittle and fragile, usually falling apart on collecting. Discs are pale brown, grey or black. In Ireland, the species is known only from County Fermanagh.

Key characteristics

• Distinctive habitat of exposed, vegetated, soft coastal cliffs or disturbed ground
• Fragile thallus, discs grey to black; true exciple purple-brown, stronger in K in upper part.

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