ASCOMYCOTA | LECANOROMYCETES > LECANORALES > Ramalinaceae

Genus Ramalina, meaning 'branch or twig' - from the shape of the thallus

Common name:            Shaggy Strap Lichen

Synonym:                    -

Habitat:                         Woodland, wayside trees, scrub, hedgerows,

Substrata:                     Bark, primarily, but also weathered wood, rarely rock

Growth form:                Corticolous and lignicolous

Thallus:                 Fruiticose

Apothecia:                    Lecanorine, rare

BLS identity rating:        Graded 1/5 (identification should be straightforward)

Highly variable; thallus often pendent, comprising long, flattened, rather narrow, slightly gutter-shaped branches, arising from a compact holdfast; the branches typically grow to about 7cm, although they can be a little longer, and are somewhere in the region of 2-4mm wide.

Colour is pale grey-green to yellow-green, to both surfaces; farinose soredia are found along or close to the margins, scattered or clustered, in rounded or ellipsoid soredia.

The most common and widespread Ramalina species, occurring on a wide variety of substrata in diverse habitats, ranging from trunks, branches and twigs of trees within shaded deciduous woodland to sunny wind-exposed isolated trees, bushes, scrub, hedgerows and occasionally on wooden posts and railings; far more rarely on rocks.