Scaly breck lichen  (Squamarina lentigera)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

This species is found across most of Europe, from Norway to the Mediterranean, in North America, North Africa and Asia. In the UK it used to be found in East Sussex and the Isle of Wight, but is now confined to just two sites in the East Anglian Breckland.

Habitat

Scaly Breck lichen is a ground-dwelling lichen, found on sandy, calcareous soil, which is disturbed regularly. Breckland is an area some 1500 square kilometres in extent, characterised by a dry climate, and well-drained light soil. The poor quality of the soil has produced a unique habitat where small, specialist plants and lichens flourish.

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