Lichen: Degelia plumbea
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Name: Degelia plumbea (Lightf.) P.M.Jørg. & P.James (1990)
Pronunciation:
Name: Degelia plumbea (Lightf.) P.M.Jørg. & P.James (1990)
Pronunciation: Degelia plumbea
Conservation Evaluation: Least Concern, International Responsibility.
Degelia plumbea showing the reddish-brown abundant apothecia.
Body Type: Foliose
Description: The thallus is large (up to 10cm diameter) with a distinctive blue-grey colour. The marginal lobes have crescent-shaped rings that look superficially like growth rings. The underside has a well developed hypothallus that appears ‘furry’ and protrudes just beyond the margin of the uppersurface. There are no isidia. The brown-red apothecia (=< 1mm diameter) are usually abundant, especially towards the centre of the thallus.
The furry undersurface or hypothallus often protrudes.
Chemical Tests: All negative
Nature Notes: Likes well lit areas of woodland and scrub. Found on basic bark, typically on hazel in the West of Ireland. Sometimes found near the sea on silica-poor rocks. Similar looking species are Degelia atlantica and Pannaria rubiginosa.
Overview of a complete thallus about 10cm in diameter.
Vice County Distribution: See map.
Vice county distribution map
Link: Map this species on the Lichen Survey
Other Degelia recorded in Ireland:
- Degelia atlantica (Degel.) P.M.Jorg. & P.James
- Degelia ligulata P.M.Jorg. & P.James
Text and images © Paul Whelan, 2009.