The Lobarion

The following provides some guidance on the identification of theLobarion lichen community.For fuller details see James, P.W., Hawksworth, D.L. & Rose, F.(1977). Lichen Communities in the British Isles pgs 322-327 in Lichen Ecology,Seaward, MRD (Ed.), Academic Press, London).

When well-developed this is a spectacular community that can include some of the largest foliose lichens.Unfortunately most of its constituent species are highly sensitive tosulphur dioxide, acid rain and excessive ammonia levels and many examples of theLobarion in Wales are now species poor.

The Lobarion is likely to be present on a tree or shrub or any rock facethat supports the following:-

Any species of the genera:

Degelia Menegazzia Parmeliella (except P. parvula - see below)
Fuscopannaria Nephroma Pseudocyphellaria
Heterodermia Pannaria Sticta
Lobaria

 

Any of the following species (* = species individually listed in Section 42):

Agonimia octospora Leptogium brebissonii* Phyllopsora rosei
Collema fasciculare* Leptogium cochleatum* Porina coralloidea
Collema furfuraceum Pachyphiale carneola Porina hibernica*
Gyalecta flotowii* Parmotrema crinitum Punctelia reddenda
Gomphillus calycioides Peltigera collina Thelopsis rubella
Leptogium burgessii




 

Any three of the following species:

Acrocordia gemmata Leptogium lichenoides Opegrapha sorediifera
Arthonia vinosa Leptogium teretiusculum Parmeliella parvula
Catinaria atropurpurea Loxospora elatina Peltigera horizontalis
Dimerella lutea Mycobilimbia pilularis Pertusaria hemisphaerica

Normandina pulchella Thelotrema lepadinum