Ciliate strap-lichen  (Heterodermia leucomela)

In Great Britain, the species occurs only in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly (3), the Lleyn peninsula (8) and Anglesey, which is the northernmost extreme of its European range (3). Historically it was more widespread in southern England, and occurred in Devon, Wiltshire, Dorset, and West Sussex. This lichen has a wide distribution globally, occurring in most tropical and temperate areas. In Europe it tends to be a western species, preferring oceanic conditions (3). Good populations occur in south-west Ireland, and it is also known from the Channel Islands (2).

Inhabits exposed, sunny coastal cliff-tops, on moss-covered rocks or mossy turf (3).