Ramalina farinacea
Ramalina farinacea var. hypoprotocetrarica
Ramalina reagans
Ramalina subfarinacea var. reagans
Ramalina subfarinacea var. salazinica
A very common lichen with a pendent, tufted thallus having numerous flattened branches up to 3mm wide and 7cm long. The branches, arising from a single point of attachment, are pale grey-green on both upper and lower surfaces. Fine soredia are found along the margins of the branches in oval soralia. Apothecia are rare.
Chemistry: Medulla and soralia usually K- or dirty orange, P+ orange red, UV- but other chemotypes exist.
Similar species: Evernia prunastri has a paler underside. Ramalina subfarinacea is mainly found on coastal rocks. It has granular soredia and many points of attachment. Medulla and soralia are K+ red.
See also Fungi of Great Britain and Ireland
Abundant on twigs and trunks, sometimes on rocks. Tolerant of air pollution and nutrient-enrichment so often with a green algal coating making it difficult to distinguish from Evernia prunastri.
Throughout Britain and Ireland.
Text by David Brabban