A placodioid species with a thallus that ranges from yellow to brownish orange to almost pink-orange. Its closely adpressed lobes are short, convex and palmate, often very pruinose, and appear to turn under at the tips. The centre of the thallus is ofte granulose, and darker than the lobes. Brown-orange apothecia with pale margins, are crowded in the centre, and soon become convex.
Thallus and apothecia: K+ purple
Caloplaca saxicola is mainly found in eastern Scotland, but takes a more coastal distribution in the west. It is mainly found on hard, calcareous rocks, and church buildings in dry and shaded situations. BLS distribution map
scottishlichens.co.uk 