Description: This is a very distinctive species especially when seen in the field and there are few lookalikes to confuse the beginner. Search for it always on damp, vertically inclined acid rock especially where there is seepage. It is frequent along upland stream valleys where the watercourse flows through shallow ravines. On a dry day it should be possible to view it in both the wet and dry state. The smooth, creamy-white, irregularly cracked thallus is spotted (like a leopard) with flat, black, irregular-shaped discs (0.2-0.5mm) having an almost non-existent margin, reminiscent of Arthonia or Aspicilia. Spot tests C-, K+ yellow, Pd+ yellow will confirm it. Western Ireland.

Key Identification Features:

• Thallus cracked, pale grey to creamy white, spotted with black irregularly-rounded, discs lacking conspicuous margins
• Strongly associated with intermittent seepage over upland siliceous rocks; the thallus of Amygdalaria pelobotryon (described elsewhere) is lumpy-convex and tests C+ red.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Lecidea phaeops at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.