Description: The clue to identifying this variety is in the size of the thallus which is often no more than a thin cover of grey squamules with an even paler edge. Well-grown material may sometimes be stalked, but these are dwarfs only a few millimetres tall, edged with granular soralia. It is tolerant of some pollution and should be searched for in urban areas on low wall tops and the like. Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry.

Key Identification Features:

• Thallus reduced to a thin cover of grey squamules; stalks (pseudopodetia) very small and often absent, capped with soredia
• Urban walls.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

Distribution Map from NBN: Stereocaulon vesuvianum var. symphycheileoides at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Stereocaulon vesuvianum var. symphycheileoides at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.