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Ramalina cuspidata (Ach.) Nyl.
Thallus tufted, erect to more or less pendant, blackened right at the base, ivory in colour with small but conspicuous black pycnidia, branches narrow and tending to be rounded in cross section; apothecia frequent, rather button-like on the narrow branches. Generally on base-poor, coastal rocks, locally abundant where there is suitable habitat. Easily confused with R. siliquosa, with which it may be inter-mixed.
The common name "Sea Ivory" is considered to apply to R. siliquosa, but in fact the present species is smoother and more ivory-like and may well have been the original Sea Ivory, inasmuch as the two species would have been distinguished.
Refs: Smith et al. (2009), 784; Purvis et al. (1992), 528; Dobson (2005), 382; Dalby & Dalby (2005), 25 (illustration).
Photographs: Bettyhill, Sutherland, August 2006
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Uploaded July 2008, last modified June 2010
