A large and spectacular British lichen, the gilt-edge lichen was thought to be extinct until it was discovered in 2001.

The golden hair lichen is a rare lichen from the family teloschistes, meaning ‘split ends,’ a reference to the plant’s finely divided thallus and dense coils which appear almost like brillopads. As its common name suggests, the lichen has a rich saffron pigmentation, making it distinctive and attractive in its appearance. Unlike other lichen, the golden hair-lichen does not lie flat, instead growing upwards and outwards like bright-yellow spaghetti.

The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust is focusing our conservation efforts on a handful of key species, including grey seals, Manx shearwaters, red-barbed ants, gilt-edged lichen and least adder's-tongue fern.