Lichen.

 A dark brown to matt black lichen forming branching tufts up to 1cm tall. It occurs as patches or may form extensive mats on rocky shores. Thallus composed of flattened branches (lobes), that become rounded at the tips. Spherical fruiting bodies, up to 2 mm in diameter occur at the tips of the branches.Resembles a small seaweed at first glance. It may be confused with Lichina confinis, which is smaller (up to 0.5cm in height) with rounded branches and occurs above high water. Commonly confused with the small branching seaweed Catenella caespitosa, which has a small, dark purple, irregularly branched frond and is restricted to damp crevices and overhangs on the shore.

Atlantic Europe, English Channel, Irish Exclusive economic Zone, North Sea, North West Europe, United Kingdom Exclusive Economic Zone

Known from the nearshore.

Depth range based on 69 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 12 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0 - 0
  Temperature range (°C): 11.471 - 12.348
  Nitrate (umol/L): 4.729 - 5.063
  Salinity (PPS): 35.203 - 35.363
  Oxygen (ml/l): 6.138 - 6.200
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.336 - 0.421
  Silicate (umol/l): 2.315 - 2.578

Graphical representation

Temperature range (°C): 11.471 - 12.348

Nitrate (umol/L): 4.729 - 5.063

Salinity (PPS): 35.203 - 35.363

Oxygen (ml/l): 6.138 - 6.200

Phosphate (umol/l): 0.336 - 0.421

Silicate (umol/l): 2.315 - 2.578
 
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 May form extensive patchy mats at or just below high water level of neap tides on wave exposed rocky shores, especially on well-drained, south-facing surfaces. Usually associated with the upper limit of barnacles. A strictly maritime species.