Description: This crustose lichen of old, rough-barked trees, for example, oaks — frequently those associated with ancient woodland — resembles a sprinkling of orange, red-brown specks (the discs), accompanied by yellow patches, which can frequently stain the bark. A squash of the orange discs reveals the presence of purple or magenta pigments and colourless one-septate spores. In Ireland, the species is widely distributed but rarer in the west.

Key Identification Features:

• A sprinkling of orange to red-brown discs producing pigments that can stain the bark — unmistakable
• On old, rough-barked trees especially oaks, in long-established woodlands.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Arthonia vinosa at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.