Description: A very rare crustose lichen of basalt, Gyalidea fritzei grows in damp rock crevices. The thin thallus is often noticeable reddened, the pale orange discs (0.2-0.6mm diam.) becoming at first spherical and then concave. The spores are muriform. It is a species one is only likely to meet if observing its particular habitat narrowly. It has been recorded only from one site in County Antrim.

Key Identification Features:

• Slightly reddened thallus with pale orange discs, rounded when young
• Search for it in crevices of basaltic or mica-schist rocks.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Gyalidea fritzei at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.