Identification tips

Identifying lichens can be hard, but once you get started it can become compulsive.

Don't be daunted if it gets tricky. Take heart in these coping strategies.

Identification from a photograph alone may well be tentative – a suggestion rather than a definite id.

Learn the words we use to describe the lichen symbiosis, growth forms, substrata, position, recording and identification.

For a full glossary of all lichen terms, please consult this PDF.

Find a list of useful books, guides for lichen identification, conservation and ecology.