A grey, or grey-green lichen that forms a crust that is studded with black button like growths (apothecia). The crust is often thin, but occasionally thicker.

It can be confused with Lecidella elaeochroma but the diameter of the apothecia in Lecidella are larger, particularly in young specimens (up to 1mm), but only up to 0.5mm in Amandinea punctata. Also the apothecia rim is wider in young L. elaeochroma. The safest way to differentiate then is with the bleach test, L. elaeochroma gives a strong orange reaction whereas A. punctata is weak, barely pale yellow.

Fence posts, rocks, bird perches.

All year round.

It is tolerant of air pollution and farm fertilizers.

Widespread and quite frequent in Britain.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.