Description: This is one of a handful of ‘mushroom’ lichens which grow in Ireland. The thallus is granular of the ‘Botrydina’ type (beads or clusters of algae), but the main feature of this species is the lemon-yellow to orange colour of the ‘mushroom’ fruiting body. It grows on wet peaty soils.

Key Identification Features:

• Thallus formed of clusters of algae; fruiting body mushroom-like; the cap, gills and stipe a rich lemon yellow or orange colour
• The similar L. umbellifera is white to straw-coloured by comparison; on wet peaty ground.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Lichenomphalia alpina at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.