Today I was pruning out the demon canker from an old apple tree. This fungal disease is systematically munching through its aged branches. Although disfigured by this nibbling, it is blessed by a natty outfit comprising an assortment of lichen, including this one. North Devon has a lot of lichen. I am definitely not an expert (at or in anything) but I presume that our propensity in the South West to damp and mild weather is in the lichen’s favour. Our low levels of pollution also help. To further your education I have extensively researched (I googled “disc lichen” and scrolled down a bit) and have come up with Lecanora chlarotera as a possible identification. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to have a common name. As the brown discs remind me of an octopus’s suckers I thought we could called it the Octopus Lichen. Apparently it is quite common. Not that I have noticed it before. Which is probably more to do with me than the lichen.
Octopus Lichen
Off The Edge Gardening 
By Jove, I think you’ve got it. I was thinking Physcia but there are no “sausages” in your photo that I can see and Physcia has very visible ones. You have such interesting lichens in the South West. Makes me jealous.
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It looks so Sci-Fi.
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It’s true that the presence of lichen is an indication of unpolluted air. I find old orchards with lichen encrusted trees quite beautiful.
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They are aren’t they, wonderful!
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Fascinating post and picture. xx
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Thanks Mike x
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Lichen seem to jump out at me in all sorts of places during winter, with no leaves on the trees I can see the branches. I have not been aware of this one before, the furry pale green ones seem to get my attention. Lovely photo of the Octopus lichen.
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Thanks TT, I wish I knew more about them, perhaps a New Year’s resolution. 🙂
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A nice one for both of us!
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Chocolate buttons, surely. Isn’t nature wonderful 🙂 x
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Yes, now I am seeing chocolate buttons, must be the time of the year!
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Must be :)) xx
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