Irish lichens

Physcia aipolia
Order: Lecanorales       Family: Physciaceae

Species: Physcia aipolia

Growth type foliose.
Photos: On deciduous twigs. Ballingeary, Cork, SW Ireland.

Whitish or pale bluish-grey thallus to 6cm diameter. Very distinct pale pseudocyphellae on lobes. Dark rhizines on under-surface. Abundant dark-brown or black, +/- pruinose apothecia. Asci are 8-spored, spores 1-septate, brown, thick-walled. 18-24 x 7-10 µm. Microscope photographs below.

Occurs on well-lit, nutrient-rich trees, often in the nodes of twigs and branches. Cortex and medulla: K+ yellow
Parasitised by Nectriopsis physciicola.

Similar: Physcia stellaris. Medulla: K-


Physcia aipolia

Physcia aipolia

Microscope photographs
Physcia aipolia, microscope image

Physcia aipolia, microscope image

Physcia aipolia, spores
Physcia aipolia

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