An easily recognisable, fruticose species with a bushy thallus that can have a green-grey to brown colour and often has a characteristic, orange-brown tinge. The branching is mainly dichotomous with subsequent branches always narrower than the previous. Apothecia develop from globose swellings in the branch tips which split open to free the spores.
Medulla: C-, K+- yellow, UV+ blue-white
Sphaerophorus globosus is very common in upland Scotland where it grows on mossy rocks, acid-barked, mossy trees and on moorland soils. BLS distribution map
Sphaerophorus globosus is distinguished from Sphaerophorus fragilis on basis of the branches being unequal in diameter.
scottishlichens.co.uk 