Description: C. vitellina is among those lichens which, by their very colour and local abundance (especially in the east of Ireland), will be the first to be noticed by the beginner. The mustard yellow, flattened granules which comprise each small patch develop discs the same colour as the thallus, only darkening with age. It appears tolerant of nutrient enrichment and is especially common on bird perching stones, such a concrete posts and the topmost points of siliceous rocks and boulders.

Key Identification Features:

• Flattened granules (hand lens) of a mustard-yellow colour
• Habitat of bird perching sites: post tops, cliff edges and rock pinnacles.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

Distribution Map from NBN: Candelariella vitellina f. vitellina at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Candelariella vitellina f. vitellina at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.