Lichens : Lecanorales : ParmeliaceaeLichens

Parmelia saxatilis s. lat. (L.) Ach.

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Parmelia saxatilis s. lat.

Description: In past times this common foliose lichen was the wool-dyer's ‘crottle’. The thallus which forms neat, grey to grey-green rosettes on acid-barked trees and rocks has square-scalloped lobe ends, covered in a net of fine white lines (best seen along the edge of the plant) surmounted by a dense mass of stick-shaped outgrowths (isidia).

Key Identification Features:

  • Net of white lines over the lobes covered in stick-like outgrowths (isidia)
  • Grey or grey-green coloured lobes with ends slightly burnished or bronzed.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

Distribution Map from NBN: Parmelia saxatilis s. lat. at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Parmelia saxatilis s. lat. at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

 Giavarini, Vince J., Simms, Michael J., & Davey, Simon, 2026. Parmelia saxatilis s. lat.. (L.) Ach.. [In] Lichen Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/lichenireland/species.php?item=18897. Accessed on 2026-11-12.