Bluish Veilwort - Metzgeria fruticulosa
Alt Name
Metzgeria violacea
Description
Forms patches of 1 mm wide, yellowish green thalli that end in narrow gemma bearing branches which protrude from the substrate. The gemmae of this species are restricted to the very tip of these branches. Long dry specimens are unique in turning blue, hence its former name. Sporophytes are rare.
Identification difficulty

Habitat
Twigs and branches of deciduous trees, especially willow (Salix), but also old elders (Sambucus nigra) and young elms (Ulmus).
When to see it
All year.
UK Status
Common.
VC55 Status
Uncommon.
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015