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Reposted by James Rowland

Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 25/09/2026

Join me on the weekend of 3 & 4 October for my 'Lichens for beginners' course at FSC Epping Forest! #Lichens are a secret world all around you: curiously beautiful, ecologically vital, unique on Earth...and totally overlooked. Let's explore it together! www.field-studies-council.org/courses-and-...

Lichen community on worked wood : England : VC20 Hertfordshire : TL3510 : March 2025

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Went back to have a look this. Photos attached include mature leaves. Can confirm the plants were fertile as well. Let me know what you think. Thank you! @ambroisebaker.bsky.social

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Thank you for taking a look. Was growing wild in the damp part of a field with water mint and common fleabane. There was a lot of it! I’ll be back in that area in a couple of weeks so can give you more info then.

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Tricky Mint (Mentha sp.) for me the other day. Cautiously think this might actually be Apple-mint (M. x villosa), but could well be wrong! @bsbibotany.bsky.social

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Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 22/08/2026

Surveyed St Michael & St Felix's Church in Rumburgh, Suffolk, last month. 79 #lichen taxa recorded, including near-threatened Lecanora horiza and nationally notable Verrucaria polysticta. Also Pertusaria lactescens: locally common in west, but rare in East Anglia. aspenecology.com/survey-of-st....

Lecanora horiza : England : VC25 East Suffolk : TM3481 Rumburgh : July 2026 : On sandstone gravestone

Verrucaria polysticta : England : VC25 East Suffolk : TM3481 Rumburgh : July 2026 : On concrete render

Pertusaria lactescens : England : VC25 East Suffolk : TM3481 Rumburgh : July 2026 : On sandstone coffin-tomb

St Michael & St Felix's Church : Rumburgh, Suffolk, England : July 2026

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Its widespread absence could stem from prior under recording or could be due to the lichens inability to survive in well coppiced woodlands where the shrub layers of the woods are completely removed. (3/3) @kentfieldclub.bsky.social @wtscotsocial.bsky.social #lichens #ancientwoodland

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

My record is a new tetrad record for Kent where the species is strangely local despite the abundance of ancient woodland in the county. (2/3)

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

This is the aptly named Barnacle Lichen (Thelotrema lepadinum) and is an indicator species of ancient woodland sites. (1/3)

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Tristan Norton @trisnorton.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

My favourite alien find today was this cracker: Hedgehog Clover Trifolium echinatum. New to me. Very few old Hampshire records, exclusively from sites where wool shoddy was used. Another interesting page in the book of Hampshire flora. #wildflowerhour @bsbibotany.bsky.social

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Came across Sicilian Chamomile (Anthemis punctata) with its characteristic woody stems, sweet scent and outer receptacles 3-toothed this week. There doesn’t seem to be many non-coastal records for Suffolk. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social #Suffolk

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Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 20/06/2026

Announcing another opportunity to learn #lichen microscopy with me! My online 'Beginner Lichen Microscopy' course covers all the fundamentals, from microscope basics to some special lighting techniques. No prior microscope experience needed. Starts this September! aspenecology.com/beginner-lic...

aspenecology.com

Beginner lichen microscopy: register now! - Aspen Ecology

I’m delighted to announce another opportunity to take an online beginner lichen microscopy course with Aspen Ecology! This beginner course will require no previous experience with microscopes. We’ll l...

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Alex Prendergast @bramblebotanist.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Nymphaea candida Dwarf White Waterlily found in fen ditches at Burgh Common with #NorfolkFloraGroup Perhaps the best example I’ve seen: square receptacle, broad-based filaments, small flowers not fully opening and veins joining in loops before the leaf margin. Widespread in Broadland #Wildflowerhour

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Gypsy Moth caterpillar (Lymantria dispar) munching on a Rose in my garden over the weekend! @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social @suffolkbis.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea (Lathyrus latifolius) out in flower in Broadland Business Park on the outskirts of Norwich this week. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social #Wildflowerhour

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Lots of Brown Sedge (Carex disticha) growing in Great Horseley Fen a part of the Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve. #Fens #Wetlands #Sedges #Essex

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Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 12/06/2026

#Lichen substances can have striking colours and reactions. This is Bacidina egenula, whose blue-green epithecium and outer exciple sharply intensifies in K, and whose red-brown hypothecium dulls. Note also remarkable thread-like spores. First record for VC52 Anglesey. With @robyaxley.bsky.social.

Bacidina egenula : Wales : VC52 Anglesey : April 2026 : On Salix trunk

Bacidina egenula : Wales : VC52 Anglesey : April 2026 : On Salix trunk : In water

Bacidina egenula : Wales : VC52 Anglesey : April 2026 : On Salix trunk : In KOH : K+ intensifying green (epithecium and outer exciple) : K+ dulling brown (hypothecium)

Bacidina egenula : Wales : VC52 Anglesey : April 2026 : On Salix trunk : In KOH : K+ intensifying green (epithecium)

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Dr Astrid Biddle @astridbiddle.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

@ilichenmoss2.bsky.social George Greiff in the BBC News headlines on Sunday morning. A fantastic discovery, and hopefully a way to moderate invasive (INNS) Campylopus introflexus (Heath Star Moss). Well deserved recognition for some very interesting bryological work. 🎉🙌 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Killer fungus discovered that destroys UK invasive plant

A newly discovered species raises hope that some native British habitats could be restored.

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Found an interesting gall on blackthorn today. Not a hundred percent sure on the species but likely to be a mite and potentially one of the Eriophyes genus. #plantgalls #mites #UK

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Lichen tick from the Malvern Hills today. The below is Lasallia pustulata known as the ‘Rock Tripe Lichen’. In the UK it is a western species which grows on acidic rock. @britishlichensociety.org.uk #lichen#Malvern#MalvernHills#Worcestershire

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Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 21/05/2026

Hugely enjoyed leading public #lichen walk for Bury Wildlife Festival last weekend in St Edmundsbury Cathedral churchyard. Even better: found nationally notable Verrucaria polysticta there while on recce ahead of walk. Often starts as parasite on other Verrucarias. With @jamesrowland23.bsky.social.

Verrucaria muralis, V. polysticta & V. viridula : England : VC26 West Suffolk : TL8563 : May 2026 : On limestone gravestone

Verrucaria polysticta & V. viridula : England : VC26 West Suffolk : TL8563 : May 2026 : On limestone gravestone

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Looks like you have some well developed pigment in some of those warts. T. leuckingii is definitely a possibility. Would need a cross section of a fertile wort, to show the fresh citrine yellow medulla characteristic of the species.

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Fantastic lichens at Parsonage Wood with the Kent Field Club last Saturday. Including second ever record in VC15 for Coniocarpon cinnabarinum. Along with a first for Kent (either VC) for Thelotrema lueckingii. @kentfieldclub.bsky.social @kentwildlife.bsky.social @britishlichensociety.org.uk #lichens

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Coniocarpon cinnabarinum growing in Gosbeck Wood, Suffolk. This species is commonly recorded growing on smooth barked trees. The lichen is widespread in the west of the UK but rare in the east. This record is a county first for Suffolk (either Vice County)! #lichens #Suffolk

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Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 06/03/2026

1/2 Recently surveyed Emmanuel Church, Bungay, for #lichens. Same mid-Victorian age as St Edmund's nearby (see below), with churchyard of about same size. But Emmanuel headstones moved aside to create garden. Now mainly shaded and algae-covered. Eliminated up to 1/3 of lichen biodiversity! Only…

Gravestones moved aside from churchyard at Emmanuel Church, Bungay, now shaded, algae-covered and devoid of lichens

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Dark tissue below the hymenium for P. dendritica (3/3)

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Record for P. smithii is the first for West Suffolk (VC26) but this is not a massive surprise as the species is expanding its range from the southwest of the UK. This is probably a result of cleaner air and/or climate change. (2/3)

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

New lichen record for me at the weekend from a Mid Suffolk woodland. The below is Phaeographis smithii. Unlike P. dendritica, smithii lacks the dark tissue below the hymenium. (1/3) @britishlichensociety.org.uk @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social @aspenecology.com @suffolkbis.bsky.social #lichens

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Spurge-laurel (Daphne laureola) out in full flower in woodland near me. Spurge-laurel is an early flowering species of neutral to basic woodland. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social #Wildflowerhour

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Unsure on this species which appeared to be C-, UV- but K+ yellow to orange. Found on the sheltered side of a veteran Oak. Any thoughts? 3/3 @aspenecology.com @robyaxley.bsky.social @britishlichensociety.org.uk @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

The first species is Pachnolepia pruinata with its distinctive C+ red reaction. The second is Lecanora barkmaniana with its K+ yellow and UV+ orange. 2/3

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Some interesting lichens on the veteran Oaks at Helmingham Hall, Suffolk yesterday. 1/3

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Surprise discovery in the garden today. This is an overwintering female European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula). Formerly considered a vagrant species in the UK. It now appears to have scattered breeding populations across south-eastern England. #wasps @kentfieldclub.bsky.social

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

Little Shaggy-moss is rather local in Kent being restricted to humid acidic woodland. The complex of woodlands making up Orlestone is a known hotspot for the species in the county. My record of Pertusaria pertusa is the first record of the species in Orlestone since 1969. 2/2 #bryophytes #lichens

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

Couple of interesting finds walking through Orlestone Forest in Kent. The first is Little Shaggy-moss (Rhytidiadelphus loreus) a very common species in the west of the UK but rather rare in Kent. The second is the lichen Pertusaria pertusa, a common epiphyte found on smooth and rough bark. 1/2

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Reposted by James Rowland

Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 11/10/2025

Announcing another chance to learn #lichens online! My next 'Lichens for Beginners' course starts in January. Perfect for anyone just discovering these unique and beautiful life-forms. All you need to know to understand lichens and identify common species. Join me! aspenecology.com/lichens-for-...

Variospora (Caloplaca) flavescens : England : VC25 East Suffolk : TM3389 : September 2022 : On limestone gravestone

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

A bit late but White Dogwood (Cornus alba) planted along the side of a road. Very similar to Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) except the stone of the fruit is longer than wide and the leaves are shortly acuminate to acute. #wildflowerhour @bsbibotany.bsky.social @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

A new one for me last month. White Spindles (Clavaria fragilis) growing in a Low Weald meadow. @kentfieldclub.bsky.social #grasslandfungi

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

For reference leaves were small averaging between 1.5-2cm in length. Upperside of leaves appeared to be glabrous and lowerside only sparsely hairy. Fruit 5 stoned.

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Came across this interesting Cotoneaster on the outskirts of Norwich today. Could this be Cotoneaster dammeri? @jo-the-botanist.bsky.social @bramblebotanist.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social #Cotoneaster

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Nicotiana sylvestris growing as a pavement weed in Norwich this week. First record for either Norfolk vice county. Species on the increase? @trevorthebotanist.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social #wildflowerhour #Norfolk

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

New sawfly larva for me the other day. Have a suspicion this might be a Wild Rose Fusehorn (Arge ochropus). Any ideas @andymus.bsky.social #sawflies #insects

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Thanks for sharing Sim. Been to Fairlight Glen before but have never made it down to Covehurst Bay.

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