Description: This common lichen species forms dark green to blackish powdery patches of thallus (usually <10cm diam.) on the siliceous rock (including brick) of town walls, drystone walls in the uplands, low boulder tops, scree debris tops and like material. The distinctive discs are blackish, mostly convex and shiny; as though specially blackened with shoe polish.

Key Identification Features:

• The habitat, nature of the substratum, thallus colour and shiny surface to the black discs characterise the species
• It is widespread in upland areas and along the upper course of river valleys on acid rocks.

Original text submitted by Simon Davey

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

iNaturalist: Scoliciosporum umbrinum at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.