Order: Verrucariales       Family: Verrucariaceae Species: Verrucaria maura Growth type crustose. Photos: On coastal rock and wall. Bantry, Cork, SW Ireland. Areolate black thallus (dull-brown in shade) with numerous cracks and a rough, warted surface. Perithecia are +/- immersed to prominent. Has the appearance of spilt oil. Common on rocky coasts forming the 'black zone'. Extends from below HWM to some distance above. Develops best on exposed shores. Chemical reactions negative.

     



Verrucaria maura. Coastal rocks, Bantry, Co.Cork. December 2008