Lichens in the Churchyard of St. Mary’s, Chiddingfold

Leader:  Andy Swan (HNHS member)

About 24 species were recognised, but many Lichens require microscopy and chemical tests.  St. Mary’s headstones had a reputation as being very interesting in the last century when atmospheric pollution prevented their growth in urban areas.  20 members attended.

Found were: orange patches of Caloplaca flavescens on marble surfaces; dark green jelly-like Collema hosting cyanobacteria on a chest tomb; crusty greenish Melanelixia fuliginosa on sandstone; and on granite Rhizocarpon reductum formed a fine dark mosaic. Click for species list