Heterodermia leucomela
Ciliate Strap-lichen
Heterodermia leucomela
©Bryan Edwards
This is a white, branching lichen, with distinctive long black hairs round the edge of each strap like frond. It grows on sunny, mossy or grassy cliffs.
It used to be distributed in several counties in southern England but is now restricted to a few coastal sites in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, and Wales.
The main threats are smothering by ivy, bracken or gorse, which also poses a fire risk, and potentially also trampling by visitors on the South West Coast Path which passes near to some populations.
Links
Species dossier
Read about the current status of this plant (PDF 1.06mb)
Leaflet avalailable
Advice is available on this lichen's conservation in a leaflet called Ciliate strap lichen: gift of the Gulf Stream.
UK BAP
This lichen is part of the UK's Biodiversity Action Plan. Click here to find out more.