Hypogymnia physodes
Alternative names
Dark Crottle
Description
Thallus foliose, lobes smooth and reflective above, flat to convex, hollow, pale to green-grey, dark brown to black beneath and lacking rhizines, tips often turned up and sorediate; apothecia rare, stalked, with red-brown discs.
Similar Species
Very variable and, when lobes are flat, can resemble Hypotrachyna laevigata, but the latter is larger and has repeatedly-branched rhizines beneath.
Identification difficulty

Recording advice
Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters.
Habitat
On acid-barked trees and heather (Calluna) stems, also terrestrial on base-poor dunes.
When to see it
All year round.
UK Status
Throughout Britain and often very common.
VC55 Status
Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.
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