This is a grey, leafy lichen which grows to around 7cm. It can appear much greener when wet. The smooth lobes are about 1cm wide and studded with white dots (punctiform soralia).

Punctelia jeckeri is similar and also has spots, but this species typically has soredia on the edges of the inner thallus lobes, and also tends to have brown tinged edges on the marginal lobes.

Parmelia sulcata can look similar as it may also have white spots, but there is usually evidence of white lines tracing across the lobes. Punctelia never has these white lines.

Grows on a variety of trees and also on acid rocks and memorials.

All year round.

Common and widespread in the southern half of Britain and has a westerly distribution in the rest of UK.

Common and widespread in Leicestershire and Rutland.