Lichen: Ramalina fraxinea
« Back
Name: Ramalina fraxinea (L.) Ach.
Pronunciation: Ramalina fraxinea
Conservation Evaluation: Least Concern. Body Type: Fruticose
General Description: The branches have a very distinctive shape, being widest toward the middle (as much as 4.5 cm in some specimens) and tapering at both the point of attachment and toward the tip (to about 1 cm). The thallus is green-grey in colour, pendent and may be as long as 10 cm. It has the overall appearance of being coarsely tufted, individual branches showing a channelled, wrinkled appearance. The branches may have a twist or turn to them. The apothecia are cup-like and convex and are found both along the edges of the branches and on the surface or lamina. The spores are kidney-shaped. It does not contain as many apothecia as Ramalina fastigiata.
Chemical Tests: All reactions negative.
Nature Notes: This species is very sensitive to air pollution (SO2). It likes windy, exposed and well lit sites. Found mainly on trees.
Vice County distribution map of Ramalina fraxinea: See Map
Link: Map this species on the Lichen Survey
Other species recorded in Ireland
- Ramalina calicaris (L.) Fr.
- Ramalina canariensis J.Steiner
- Ramalina chondrina J.Steiner
- Ramalina cuspidata (Ach.) Nyl.
- Ramalina farinacea (L.) Ach.
- Ramalina fastigiata (Pers.) Ach.
- Ramalina lacera (With.) J.R.Laundon
- Ramalina polymorpha (Lilj.) Ach.
- Ramalina portuensis Samp.
- Ramalina siliquosa (Huds.) A.L.Sm.
- Ramalina subfarinacea (Nyl. ex Cromb.) Nyl.
Text and images © Paul Whelan, 2009.