Irish lichens

Lecidea lithophila
Order: Lecanorales       Family: Lecideaceae

Species: Lecidea lithophila

Growth type crustose.
Photos: On upland rock. Gougane Barra, Cork, SW Ireland.
Left identified by John Douglass

The cracked-areolate thallus is greyish, usually with patches that are stained rusty-red. Large, +/- flat apothecia are dark-brown to black, becoming browner when wet. Asci 8-spored. Spores simple, colourless, 11-15 x 5-6 µm. Microscope photograph below.

Common in upland areas, often near streams on iron-rich siliceous rocks. Chemical reactions negative.

Similar: Tremolechia atrata and Rhizocarpon oederi


Lecidea lithophila

Lecidea lithophila

Lecidea lithophila

Microscope photograph Lecidea lithophila, ascus and spores

Lecidea lithophila. August 2009 and January 2012

Please contact me if you find errors. All images used are copyright.