Description
The main body of this lichen – known as the thallus – has a distinctive fan shape which turns green when wet. The spore–producing organs, known as the apothecia, are round and brown or black in colour.
Habitat
Found on sparsely vegetated open sites such as chalk or limestone, mine spoil and forest trails.
Ecology
The underside of the lichen contains a blue-green algae known as cyanobacteria. This bacteria assists in fixing nitrogen from the air which is valuable for species such as this which grow in low-nutrient conditions.
Status
Found at only a few sites, lost or declining at some mine spoil sites due to habitat change.
Distribution
Found mainly in upland areas in northern England and Scotland.
Comments (…)
Sign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussion