Order: Lecanorales       Family: Sphaerophoraceae Species: Sphaerophorus fragilis Growth type fruticose. Photos: On acidic upland rock. Ballingeary, Cork, SW Ireland. Identification confirmed by Mike Simms (photos) Bushy greenish-grey thallus to 4cm high, branches sometimes tinged pinkish-red. Forms even, compact cushions with +/- rounded branches all approximately the same height. Rarely fertile. Occurs on upland rocks and scree, often found at higher altitudes than Sphaerophorus globosus. Medulla: K-, P-, I- Similar: Bunodophoron melanocarpum. Flattened branchelets.

     
Sphaerophorus fragilis on rock. Ballingeary area, County Cork. February 2009