Ramalina fraxinea Leafy Ash Lichen

Ramalina fraxinea is very sensitive to sulphur dioxide pollution and fertilizer-enrichment and is now rare in many areas. The British population is said to be notable and of International Importance. The species grows on well-lit trees with basic bark, the large thallus is pendant, with highly wrinkled branch lobes which have lots of pseudocyphellae (whitish pecks and flecks). It can grow up to 15cm long and 4 cm wide. Various named varieties have been described and the form 'luxurians' was noted in 2025 on a clifftop Sycamore at Rothers Tor (see photos). There are only a few records of it in West Glamorgan but it may be under recorded and is perhaps increasing its range in response to cleaner air.

Listed by Alan Orange in Flora of Glamorgan (Wade et al, 1994).