Irish lichens

Acarospora fuscata
Family: Acarosporaceae

Species: Acarospora fuscata

Growth type crustose.
Photos: On well-lit acidic upland rock, Ballingeary, Cork, SW Ireland.

Looks like dried, cracked mud with angular areoles ranging in colour from yellow-brown to reddish-brown. Sunken reddish-brown discs. Asci with >100 minute spores, spores 4-6 x 1-1.5 µm.
Chemical reactions: K-, C+ red, KC+ red

Prefers nitrogen-enriched siliceous sites. Wall tops, churchyard monuments, rock outcrops and ledges, bird-perching sites. Not found on limestone.

Similar: A. impressula K-, C-, and A. smaragdula K+ red


Acarospora fuscata       Acarospora fuscata

Acarospora fuscata
Acarospora fuscata. Ballingeary area, Co. Cork. January 2009

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