Description: One of Ireland’s most attractive lichens H. leucomela or ciliate strap-lichen is an easily recognised species with white strap-like lobes (to 3mm wide) bearing long, black hairs (cilia) projecting from the edges. It is rare and currently only known from sites in west Cork and County Kerry where it grows among mosses and rocks by the shoreline. In west Cork, it will also grow on trees in wet woodland particularly in sallow swamp.

Key Identification Features:

• Thallus of white, strap-like lobes with long whiskery cilia attached to the edges
• Among mossy debris on sea cliffs, and on willow trees in swampy sites near the coast.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Heterodermia leucomelos at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.