Nordic Lichen Flora: Ahti, T. et al. (eds.) (2007). Vol 3. p. 58. Cyanolichens, Uppsala University/Nordic Lichen Society, Uddevalla.
THALLUS blackish, small-squamulose, forming irregular rosettes, to 3 mm diam. with ascending, cylindrical, isidia-like lobes 0.1-0.2 mm long. ASCOMATA rare, laminal, subimmersed, pycnoascocarpia with expanding brownish disc, to 0.5 mm diam. Hymenium I+ reddish brown. Spores simple, colourless, broadly ellipsoid, 10-13 X 7-8 µm. CONIDIOMATA rare, immersed pycnidia; conidia simple, bacilliform, colourless, 1-2 X 1 µm PHOTOBIONTNostoc in chains, individual cells 4-6 µm diam.
Chemistry. No secondary substances (by TLC).
Habitat. On irrigated, sun-exposed calicferous or siliceous rocks.
Distribution. Rather common and widespread, commonest in the north and at high altitudes. N: Op Bu Ho SF ST NT SNo NNo Tr 0Fi S: Ol Gtl Klm Dls Vg Og Srm Upl Dlr LyL TL. Otherwise known from the Central European mountains.
Note. A long misunderstood species which is generally more rosette-like and less cushion-formed than L. botryosum and has erect cylindrical lobes, which look like isidia rather than intertwining lobes.