Description: This very small ‘pin head’ lichen grows exclusively on the twigs and bark of holly, spreading occasionally to other trees such as birch, hazel and oak. The discs sit on the top of tiny stalks like the head of a pin. The best way to search for it is from the side as the entire fruiting body is only 2mm tall and therefore hard to see. It grows always in areas where there is a long history of woodland canopy. It is a tough species often growing clean through the thalli of other crustose lichens. Generally widespread in Ireland.

Key Identification Features:

• ‘Pin head’ lichen, on bark, twigs and small branches of holly
• Pins approximately 2mm tall, so best to search for them with a hand lens or magnifying glass.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Stenocybe septata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.