Pepperpot Lichen
Pertusaria pertusa
REACTIONS
DESCRIPTION
Pertusaria pertusa is a crustose lichen forming a pale grey to whitish, often thick and uneven thallus that can appear cracked or slightly warted with age. The surface is typically matte and can develop a subtly granular texture.
The most distinctive feature is its wart-like fertile structures (verrucae) scattered across the thallus. Each wart contains one or more immersed apothecia, visible as tiny dark pores or openings at the top. These give the lichen a pitted or “perforated” appearance, which is reflected in the species name pertusa (meaning pierced).
It lacks obvious leafy lobes or branching structures, remaining tightly attached to its substrate.
HABITAT
This species is primarily corticolous, growing on the bark of trees and shrubs. In North Wales it is most often encountered on mature deciduous trees such as Oak, Ash, and Beech.
STATUS IN NORTH WALES
Widespread and fairly common
Pertusaria pertusa is one of the more frequently encountered crustose lichens in North Wales, particularly in lowland and moderately upland areas with suitable tree cover. It tolerates a range of conditions but tends to be less abundant in heavily polluted or very exposed upland environments.
