The lichen was photographed on a small alder branch close to the River Nethy. The specimen is about 20mm x 10mm, and had been sliced from the branch to photograph.
I think all of these are Cetraria sepincola. I don't see anything that looks definitely like a Melanohalea thallus and all of these apothecia look like they are elevated on short thallus branches.
I only know Melanohalea septentrionalis from pictures (eg. Hinds & Hinds, The Macrolichens of New England, as Melanelia), so I agree I am still not certain.
However, there are ranges of photographs of both species on the Oslo Museum website (a highly authoritative source): http://www.nhm.uio.no/lav/web/index.html
and after going though these I still think Cetraria, though not so tufted as the species often is.
Thank you Alan. I was using British Lichens as a guide http://www.uklichens.co.uk/species/Melanohalea%20septentrionalis%20large...
which shows both Cetraria & Melanohalea growing together on Rothiemurchus. I will keep all the information in my notebook and see what else I find when on my travels. Thank you for your help.
on 3rd January 2012
Same
I think all of these are Cetraria sepincola. I don't see anything that looks definitely like a Melanohalea thallus and all of these apothecia look like they are elevated on short thallus branches.
I only know Melanohalea septentrionalis from pictures (eg. Hinds & Hinds, The Macrolichens of New England, as Melanelia), so I agree I am still not certain.
However, there are ranges of photographs of both species on the Oslo Museum website (a highly authoritative source):
http://www.nhm.uio.no/lav/web/index.html
and after going though these I still think Cetraria, though not so tufted as the species often is.
Alan
www.lichens.lastdragon.org