Description: Root around among the dry, acid, underhanging ledges of upland tors and the lichen hunter in Ireland is soon likely to come across this species. The dull green thallus is unremarkable because the species is best known by its numerous, black, stalked pycnidia (rather like black matchstick heads but smaller) which attach to rock and loose stones. When overgrowing moribund bryophytes it can be easily examined without fear of disturbing the habitat. Widely scattered; absent from central Ireland.

Key Identification Features:

• The black, stalked pycnidia with white tips, attached to stones, and old stands of mosses and liverworts in dry underhangs of acid rock, distinguish it
• Occurs along upland stream valleys and around the edge of ridge tors and other acid, high-level outcrops as well as the outcropping rock in dry, sheltered woodland.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Micarea botryoides at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.