Lunularia cruciata (L.) Dumort. ex Lindb.
The dichotomously branching thallus can be 5cm long by 1cm wide. It tends to be light green in colour with a shiny appearance. Margins are often undulate. The elevated air pores, found on the dorsal surface, are conspicuous and clearly seen with a hand lens. The presence of crescent shaped receptacles (gemmae cups) on the surface of thalli is a good distinguishing feature. Within the receptacles are found green, disc-like gemmae that are also easily seen with a hand lens. When dry the thalli tend to become yellowish in colour and their margins strongly incurved.
Local: Douglas Path, Queen’s Road, Willis’s Road, Mediterranean Steps, Lower Slopes, Inglis Way, Governor’s Lookout.
Found in fairly compressed calcareous soil on the side of footpaths and roads and on pockets of calcareous soil on rocky outgrowths. Also found on old walls.