Description: Akin to Lecanora soralifera this is a lichen of metal-rich mine sites; it is rare in Ireland having been recorded only from Counties Down and Antrim. L. handelii can be separated from L. soralifera by attention to the colour of the thallus and to where soredia are produced on the surface. L. soralifera has a yellow-green thallus and similar-coloured soredia originating from the flat surface of the areoles (individual islands of thallus). By contrast, L. handelii has a greyer thallus with the soredia spreading from the edges of the areoles first. Often the two species can grow together.

Key Identification Features:

• Grey to grey-green thallus on metal-rich rock
• Soredia develop initially from the edges of the areoles before spreading to the surface.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Lecanora handelii at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.