Lichens : Arthoniales : OpegraphaceaeLichens

Cresponea premnea (Ach.) Egea & Torrente

Cresp-premnea-1-mjs.jpg
Cresponea premnea

Description: This crustose epiphyte with a thin, grey to greenish thallus studded with hard, black, frosted discs (1-2mm diam.) on the bark of old, senescent oaks, is a characteristic species of very old trees in drier areas. It may occasionally spread to acid rock. In Ireland it has its headquarters in the south-east.

Key Identification Features:

  • The habitat and the large, often crowded, more or less rounded fruits that are usually grey-frosted, serve to indicate this species
  • Distinctive lichen preferring the slightly shaded dry side of trees. Often with Schismatomma decolorans.

Original text submitted by Simon Davey

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

iNaturalist: Cresponea premnea at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

 Giavarini, Vince J., Simms, Michael J., & Davey, Simon, 2026. Cresponea premnea. (Ach.) Egea & Torrente. [In] Lichen Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/lichenireland/species.php?item=19194. Accessed on 2026-11-12.