Description: This is one of the most abundant ‘dog lichens’ of acid soils, sandy wastes, peaty ground and mossy tree stumps. It is also among the first lichens to colonise burnt soils. Like P. membranacea it is a large leafy species adhering like Velcro to the substratum. It is distinguished, however, by the shiny upper surface (never white-frosted) which is grey to brown when dry, changing to a vivid olive green when wet. On the underside are veins, but these are flattened and the rhizines simple. The red-brown discs, held erect on thumb-like lobes, are abundant.

Key Identification Features:

• Glossy grey-brown upper surface, olive green when wet (never white-frosted)
• Flattened veins on the underside with simple rhizines (attachment structures).

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Peltigera lactucifolia at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.