Description: This rare, mid- to pale grey, epiphytic ‘beard lichen’ has slender, hanging branches with (or without) soralia (to 0.5mm diam.) which appear like spots. Barbs (spinules) are absent from the branches. The medulla is K+ yellow. This is essentially a plant of relict pinewoods, though in Ireland in the past, it has favoured larch and oak.

Key Identification Features:

• ‘Beard lichen’, grey-coloured with slender pendant branches; often with soralia, medulla K+ yellow
• Without spinules; secluded acid sites protected from effects of dust contamination; on larch or oak.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Bryoria capillaris at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.