Description: Most Caloplaca taxa are distinguished by a bright orange, crustose thallus. C. cirrochroa is no exception and on close study turns out to be one of the most beautiful examples of the family, forming circular thalli (1-2cm diam.) of narrow, radiating lobes to the rear of which are scattered, bright orange or lemon-yellow spots of convex soralia. The species is local, sometimes locally abundant, on hard, dry, sheltered, vertical limestone — undisturbed headstones especially. Throughout Ireland.

Key Identification Features:

• Orange circular thalli with an outer ring of radiating lobes surrounding an inner area spotted with bright orange or pale, lemon-yellow soredia
• On hard limestones in warm, sheltered localities.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Leproplaca cirrochroa at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.