Description: Despite the general scarcity of this lichen in Ireland where it favours some of the most acidic sites away from contamination from agricultural or natural, nutrient-carrying sources, it remains easy to recognise. It forms green-brown, matted tufts (up to 15cm long) hanging like lanky hair from rocks and trees as if snagged (like dirty sheep’s wool) on a barbed wire fence. The fine, narrow branches carry white spots of powdery soralia where they have split open. Discs are rare. The white spots are Pd+ red. North-east and east Ireland mainly.

Key Identification Features:

• Like ‘beard lichens’ except green-brown in colour
• The long, narrow, spindly branches have white spots of soredia testing Pd+ red.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Bryoria fuscescens at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.