Description: This is a common, shaded sea-cliff species of siliceous rocks in the zone just above high-water mark. It has small black discs dispersed on a cracked, grey thallus. Search for it between the bright thalli of other more exuberant and colourful crusts. It is common in suitable maritime habitats throughout Ireland.

Key Identification Features:

• The slate to lead-grey thallus and tiny, black discs should distinguish it
• It should never be confused with Lecanora actophila, a species of similar habitats with a yellow-green thallus.

Original text submitted by Simon Davey

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

iNaturalist: Lecanora helicopis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.