Green Tar Lichen

Verrucaria mucosa

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

Usually greenish-grey to olive-green lichen, the crust of which attaches very closely to rock. Very similar to Black Tar Lichen, but the crust is slightly thicker and not cracked into rectangular sections.

HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

Occurs in irregular patches on rocks, but only on those below the high-water mark.

DISTRIBUTION

Common on the Atlantic and English Channel coasts.

Lichen

Lichina pygmaea

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

Height to 1cm. Upright branching lichen that forms small bushes like a miniature seaweed. Occurs in tiny patches up to a few centimetres across, which are made up of much-divided dark brown to black branches.

HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

Found on rocky shores from the high-water mark downwards, so it is regularly immersed.

DISTRIBUTION

Common in suitable habitats on the Atlantic, English Channel, North Sea and Mediterranean coasts.

Black Tar Lichen

Verrucaria maura

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

Matt black or greenish-black encrusting lichen that occurs on rocks and boulders in irregularly circular patches. Body is cracked into roughly rectangular sections, sometimes with small conical fruiting bodies. Crust is very thin. Extensive patches are often mistaken for dried-up oil washed up from ships.

HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

Very common on rocky coasts from above high water to some way below it. Can cover huge areas, particularly on exposed shores.

DISTRIBUTION

Widely distributed in suitable locations around the Atlantic, English Channel and North Sea coasts.