Description: This small, common, grey, granular-crustose lichen likes some mild nutrient enrichment (dust) so should be looked for on wall tops, tree bases and the tops of wooden bollards in car parks. It forms small, dark stains packed with blackish discs which have a thick, pale margin. It is a common species in suitable habitats throughout Ireland.

Key Identification Features:

• The small, blackish-granular stains, packed with black discs with paler margins are good features. Look for it on lichened wall tops in the spaces between other species
• Examination of the spores may be necessary to eliminate lookalikes. These bulge in K to either side of the central septum (cross-partition).
• Certain forms of the very variable Lecania erysibe could be confused with it, but these would be readily distinguished, as they lack the characteristic thick-walled spores of Rinodina.

Original text submitted by Simon Davey

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

iNaturalist: Rinodina oleae at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.