Lichens : Lecanorales : PsilolechiaceaeLichens

Psilolechia clavulifera (Nyl.) Coppins

Description: This lichen overgrows those dry soils of woodland banks where small tree roots have become exposed due to ground movements, windthrow or storms. Small, green-grey, granular patches can emerge after a few wet winters and then become covered in tiny blue-black spots which are the Micarea-sized discs. The tiny club-shaped spores are simple, 4–7 x 1–2µm. In Ireland, the species is rare.

Key Identification Features:

  • Thallus tiny, green-grey overgrowing soil-covered tree roots exposed by movement or storm damage
  • Discs: blue-black spots; spores simple, club-shaped.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Psilolechia clavulifera at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

 Giavarini, Vince J., Simms, Michael J., & Davey, Simon, 2026. Psilolechia clavulifera. (Nyl.) Coppins. [In] Lichen Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/lichenireland/species.php?item=18963. Accessed on 2026-11-12.