These lichens are commonly seen on rocks or on ground, especially in damp areas. They look like a small light grey bushy growth, much branched, and sometimes up to 10-15 cm tall.

The black things are known as apothecia, which are a fruiting body of the fungi part of the lichen. It produces spores.

One of the more common Stereocaulon species. Note the small brown apothecia.

Cephalodia contain blue-green algae.