Lichens : Lecideales : LecideaceaeLichens

Clauzadea metzleri (Körb.) Clauzade & Cl.Roux ex D.Hawksw.

Description: The thallus of this small, Porpidioid crustose lichen is immersed. Discs are black, scattered and unfrosted, in shallow pits in limestone or calcareous rocks, often forming higgledy-piggledy lines along crevices. It is easily confused, in the natural limestone heartlands such as the Burren, with C. chondrodes which is similar. However, that species has crowded discs and smaller spores (excluding perispore) 13-18&

371;m long, compared with spores 16-20&

371;m long, in C. metzleri. In Ireland, it occurs mainly in the west where some past records may be those of C. chondrodes.

Key Identification Features:

  • Thallus immersed; discs black, non-pruinose, dispersed, in shallow pits
  • On calcareous rocks, the discs often running along the crevices like a sprinkling of footprints.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Clauzadea metzleri at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

 Giavarini, Vince J., Simms, Michael J., & Davey, Simon, 2026. Clauzadea metzleri. (Körb.) Clauzade & Cl.Roux ex D.Hawksw.. [In] Lichen Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/lichenireland/species.php?item=18693. Accessed on 2026-11-12.