A crustose species with a white to pale grey, smooth thallus that is limited by a white prothallus. The often crowded apothecia have a smooth margin that may become excluded with age. The disc is pale red-brown to cream or purple, but this is usually not clearly visible as it is covered in a thick white pruina.
Thallus: C-, K+ yellow, UV-. Apothecia: C+ yellow or orange, UV+ pale orange
Lecanora carpinea is most widespread in eastern parts of Scotland where it grows on twigs, branches and younger trunks of smooth-barked, broadleaved trees. BLS distribution map
scottishlichens.co.uk 