Lichen on tree for ID

[Rambling Rob]

Hello,

I found this greyish-green lichen growing on the bark of ash trees in a copse near Bembridge, Isle of Wight this morning.

Is it a species of Ramalina do you think? The closest to it in my only book with lichens seems to be R. fraxinea.

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob

[Rambling Rob]

I've come to the conclusion that this lichen is Ramalina farinacea which is a fairly common one on bark and twigs, present in all parts of the IoW according to the local flora,

Rob

[AlanS]

Yes, it is Ramalina farinacea.

Remember that we have a separate lichen subforum (under fungi, as lichens are not plants).

Alan

[Rambling Rob]

Thanks Alan - I'm a late starter (and slow learner) with lichens.

Lichens are 'lower plants' aren't they? Or flowerless or non-flowering plants? This is how I see them referred to in the few places I have looked.

I appreciate that a lichen is a symbiotic association of fungus and alga, but in the only place on the British Lichen Society site where I see the question 'What are lichens?' tackled, it begins: 'Lichens are two 'plants' in one'.

Significant quotation marks, no doubt, but they said it!

All the best,
Rob

PS I saw the lichens sub-forum in fungi after posting this thread and have put subsequent lichen stuff there, but I see other lichen threads in this forum and wonder if the two forums are confusing anyone else besides me..