Description: This lichen is exclusive to the intertidal zone and is unmistakable. It occupies siliceous rocks lower down the shore (below the high-water mark) than the habitat for the related Lichina confinis. The bushy tufts of black lichen (to 1cm in height) with lobes flattened fan-like as if ironed, and hidden in among the seaweeds best indicate this species. It is frequent in suitable habitats throughout Ireland’s coastal waters.

Key Identification Features:

• Although there are marine algae that resemble this species, it is most likely only to be confused with Lichina confinis which is smaller (to 0.5cm in height), and is mostly rounded in cross-section
• It occurs below high-water mark among the seaweeds.

Original text submitted by Simon Davey

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

iNaturalist: Lichina pygmaea at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.