ASCOMYCOTA | LECANOROMYCETES > LECANORALES > Ramalinaceae

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

Common name:            -

Synonym:                    -

Habitat:                         Open woodland and wayside trees

Substrata:                     Bark

Growth form:                Corticolous

Thallus:                  Fruiticose

Apothecia:                    Lecanorine, plate-like ascocarps

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

Thallus more or less erect, usually densely tufted and well branched, typically standing 2-3cm tall, or up to 5cm when well developed, lobes wrinkled, slightly flattened or rounded, often appearing swollen or inflated, occasionally becoming lax and pendent.

Colour pale to dull grey-green, upper and lower surfaces concolourous.

Apothecia can be frequent and numerous, sometimes totally obscuring the thallus; on short stalks, discs initially concave, becoming flat or convex when mature.

Common on branches and twigs of well-lit, often wind-exposed, trees with nutrient-rich bark; rarely found in closed woodland.