An intuitive introduction to 200 of the most common and conspicuous species that beginners can learn to identify with nothing more than a magnifying lens and some practice.

Lichens can be found all around us throughout the year. They colour our landscapes, adding subtle textures and hues to our environments, urban and wild alike. There are more than 2,000 species in Britain and Ireland, and working out where to begin when it comes to identifying them can be daunting.

This beautifully illustrated introductory guide provides a novel and beginner-friendly approach to lichen identification, featuring three main sections:

- habitats that are good for lichen-hunting, and the species you may encounter;

- summaries of the overarching lichen groups, and what to focus on when identifying individual species within them;

- image-rich species profiles, organised by growth form and colour, with descriptions of key physical features, habitat notes, distribution maps, and details of look-alike species.

Designed for practical use in the field, with cover flaps displaying visual reminders of the main growth forms, key identification terms and a scale bar, Lichens of Britain and Ireland is an indispensable guide for anyone wishing to know more about the diverse and colourful tapestry of lichens that can be found all around us.