Lichens : Arthoniales : ArthoniaceaeLichens

Reichlingia dendritica P.James

Description: This species grows below dry siliceous underhangs and in sheltered recesses in walls near the coast. It has a pale grey, scurfy thallus which looks unimpressive at first sight. However, closer inspection shows the presence of numerous iced-over discs joined together in a continuous mosaic reminiscent of Enterographa. Spores are two- to four-septate with an enlarged upper cell. The thallus tests Pd+ pale yellow or red. In Ireland, it is a western oceanic species and is known from Counties Kerry, Cork, Galway and Mayo, especially the offshore islands.

Key Identification Features:

  • Small, white to pale grey mosaic-forming crust with hidden Enterographa-like frosted discs; spores with enlarged upper cell
  • On the sheltered underhangs and shaded recesses of cliffs and walls along western coasts; Peterjamesia circumscriptum scratches orange with a finger nail.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

Distribution Map from NBN: Reichlingia dendritica at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Reichlingia dendritica at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

 Giavarini, Vince J., Simms, Michael J., & Davey, Simon, 2026. Reichlingia dendritica. P.James. [In] Lichen Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/lichenireland/species.php?item=15489. Accessed on 2026-11-12.