Description: This large, attractive lichen is fast becoming a genuine rarity in the Irish countryside. It grows on nutrient-rich wayside trees so will not be found in woodland. The lobes, which are grey, long and narrow, grow to about 5cm in length, each wreathed with long, whiskery marginal hairs called cilia. The large discs with a toothed edge are often coated in a blue-grey frosting (pruina). Rather scattered; very rare in the northern half of Ireland. Look for it on old field trees such as ash and sycamore.

Key Identification Features:

• Large shock of grey, strap-shaped lobes with whiskery edges and tips
• Could only be confused with A. ciliaris subsp. mamillata which is browner and occurs on exposed headlands.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Anaptychia ciliaris at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.