A distinctive crustose lichen with an areolate or warted crust that is either grey or yellow-green and that may be surrounded by a pale, fimbriate prothallus. Apothecia are usually numerous and have a blood-red discs.
Medulla: C-, K+ yellow-orange, UV+- bluish white. Apothecia: K+ blue
In Scotland, Ophioparma ventosa is common on well-lit, nutrient-poor, coarse-grained, siliceous rocks in upland areas. BLS distribution map
Ophioparma ventosa is distinguished from Haematomma ochroleucum var. ochroleucum on basis of the absence of a leprose or farinose crust.
scottishlichens.co.uk 