Grey cushion lichen

[black]

Can anyone help me identify this grey cushion like lichen that was covering the rocks at Clogwyn du'r Arddu in Snowdonia NP, Wales last week
Thanks

[fairplay]

Hi Black,

I reckon you have everybody stumped because why else would anybody not reply to a post from someone with such a gorgeous looking avatar as yours ?
( I've only had 2 glasses of wine)

Anyway, I'm no lichen boff, but I've just been through all 700 odd pages of my book on North American lichens just for you ( steady boy, remember you've had 3 glasses now !) which should cover most British lichens and the nearest I can get is a species of Usnea known as a 'fruticose' lichen, but I expect you've worked that out already !

Neil.

P.S. How do I enlarge your avatar ?
P.P.S. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[RobSutton]

From my days in Snowdonia I seem to recall a species called Stereocaulon vesuvianum that grew on acid rocks in the region that looked similar and there were similar ones growing on waste metal tips in the area as well. That was a long time ago though so treat this ID with caution.

[fairplay]

Hi again,

I would agree that, quickly looking up S. vesuvianum it does look very similar, so there you go, WAB to the rescue again !!

Neil.

[black]

well now Neil you've just made a grown woman blush
I'm sure you've had more than 3 glasses of wine though

Thanks Rob, it certainly looks like Stereocaulon vesuvianum , if not that particular species certainly of the same genus.

WAB is a life-saver, many thanks to everyone whose helped me out with ID suggestions