Description: A rather ephemeral crustose lichen of neglected or recently disturbed soils, S. geophana has a thin olive green thallus – subgelatinous when moistened – composed of a crumbly bundle of goniocysts (like green algal cells). The small, scattered pale to dark brown discs are convex and the spores 16/ascus. Often frequent on former metal-contaminated soils. In Ireland, the species appears under-recorded.

Key Identification Features:

• Thallus of goniocysts, olive green, subgelatinous if wet, with brown convex discs
• No spot test reactions; on abandoned formerly disturbed soils.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Steinia geophana at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.