Lichens
Introduction
Lichens are all around us - on walls, trees and even under our feet on tarmac paths.
Leicestershire and Rutland Resources
If you are not familiar with lichens then the NatureSpot Beginners Guide to Recording Lichens is a useful way to get started as it features 10 of the most common and identifiable lichen species in Leicestershire and Rutland.
Other Useful Websites and Publications
Online
British Lichen Society - including guides to 20 common lichens.
www.britishlichens.co.uk - a comprehensive photo guide with useful categorisation of lichen-types but there is no information about the lichen species included.
www.dorsetnature.co.uk/Dorset-lichen.html - a similarly excellent website with high quality images and details about each lichen species.
Printed
The Field Studies Council produce a series of fold-out lichen guides that are both affordable and useful.
- Guide to Common Churchyard Lichens
- Guide to Common Urban Lichens: On Trees and Wood
- Guide to Common Urban Lichens: On Stones and Soil
- Guide to Lichens of Heaths and Moors
Lichens - An Illustrated Guide, Frank Dobson is the best field guide.
If you know of other websites or books that you would recommend, do let us know: info@naturespot.co.uk
Recording Schemes
As with all records, any submissions you make to NatureSpot will be automatically forwarded to both local and national recording schemes.
Visit our County Recorders page to find out who is the CR in VC55 (Leicestershire and Rutland).
Identification
Many lichens are typically found on specific substrates, such as trees, walls or different types of rock. It is therefore crucial in most cases to take note of where you found the lichen. When recording lichens on NatureSpot you will be prompted to add a note of where you found the lichen growing.