Description: This is a tightly attached, deep red to orange, crustose/foliose lichen of basic, well-illuminated, nutrient-enriched rock, especially in upland areas. It has an almost rosette-type growth form (stellate) with numerous, narrow, convex, contorted, radiating lobes forming the margins. The central part is packed with orange discs. At lower altitudes, it may be found on artificial substrates such as concrete, asbestos roofs and tiles. It is scattered in suitable habitats throughout Ireland.

Key Identification Features:

• The red-orange, narrow-fingered thallus on a calcareous substrate immediately suggests this species
• It is usually rich in discs and easily spotted on account of its colour and attractive rosette-like shape. It is unlikely to be confused with any other species.

Original text submitted by Simon Davey

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

iNaturalist: Rusavskia elegans at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.