Ramalina fraxinea
Ramalina fraxinea var. calicariformis
Thallus with pendant, wrinkled lobes up to 15cm long and 4 cm wide. Lobes are grey-green to brownish on both sides and are solid inside. Well developed specimens have coarsely wrinkled branches with frequent apothecia. Discs are pale fawn.
Chemistry: Spot reactions negative.
Similar species: Poorly developed specimens resemble R. fastigata but that species has hollow lobes and apothecia confined to the lobe tips. R. canariensis also has hollow lobes but apothecia are rare.
See also Fungi of Great Britain and Ireland
Locally frequent on well-lit trees with basic bark. Now rare in many areas. Very sensitive to SO2 pollution and fertilizer-enrichment.
East and South England (much decreased), northern England (increasing), Central and East Scotland and East Ireland.
Declined in areas impacted by sulphur dioxide pollution in the 20th century, with limited recovery as yet, but some recolonisation has been noted
Britain: Notable and an International Responsibility species
Text by David Brabban & Neil A Sanderson