Description: This is a spiky, low-growing, grey, tufted, shrubby species restricted mainly to the more mountainous parts of the Irish uplands. It has an I- (iodine negative) central layer or medulla. S. globosus (described elsewhere) is an altogether more exuberant plant, richly branched, the branches varying considerably in length. S. fragilis also lacks all trace of the red-brown colouring which marks out its lookalikes. Commonly on the tops of large boulders; also on outcrops and screes. Discs very rare. North and western Ireland, rarer elsewhere.

Key Identification Features:

• Low-growing, spiky, grey, tufted lichen of rocks in mountain country
• Thallus I-, lacking red or brown pigmentation; branches are even-sized.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Sphaerophorus fragilis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.