Lichens : Lecanorales : RamalinaceaeLichens

Ramalina farinacea (L.) Ach.

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Ramalina farinacea

Description: Thallus grey-green, shrubby or brittle-tufted comprising numerous narrow, flattened subdividing branches just a few millimetres wide at most. The entire plant is anchored by a stout, compact holdfast. Circular white spots seen along the margins of the branches (soralia) contain a fine, floury mixture of fungal hyphae and algae (soredia). It is very rarely fertile. Trees and shrubs, especially hedges and scrub, less frequent on rocks.

Key Identification Features:

  • A highly conspicuous shrubby tree lichen with narrow, flattened, white-spotted branches
  • Branches are never yellowish or white below.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Ramalina farinacea at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

 Giavarini, Vince J., Simms, Michael J., & Davey, Simon, 2026. Ramalina farinacea. (L.) Ach.. [In] Lichen Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/lichenireland/species.php?item=18986. Accessed on 2026-11-12.