Ramalina polymorpha (Lilj.) Ach. var. polymorpha

    Thallus tufted, 3-8 cm, most often prostrate, branches strap-shaped, 1-5 mm wide, usually tapered towards the ends, longitudinally lacerated, dissected or wrinkled, pseudocyphellae numerous, distinctly visible by their elongate openings, when old, pseudocyphellae filled with isidia-like or slightly prominent soredia-like granules, grey-yellowish when dry, dark grey-greenish when moist. Apothecia very rare, cup-shaped, most often terminal, margin minutely verrucose. Ascospores broadly ellipsoid, 1-septate, 12-16 x 4-6 µm. Photobiont: Trebouxioid. C-, K-, KC-, Pd-. UV-. Coastal species, on markedly nutrient-rich siliceous rocks, pirch-birds enriched in guano or near the nests of marine birds from the xeric supralittoral zone to the aerohaline zone. This Northern species may form large colonies among which young specimen look like flowers on the rock surface. Ramalina polymorpha var. ligulata is rather similar but  montane and its branches endings are not divided.