Order: Verrucariales       Family: Verrucariaceae Species: Staurothele fissa Growth type crustose. Photos: On inundated rocks. Ballingeary, Co. Cork, SW Ireland. Identification needs confirming with microscopy Thallus smooth, cracked or areolate, brown to pale brown in shade, prothallus whitish. Prominent perithecia with brown or black apices, arising singly or in small groups. Pycnidia frequent. Found on +/- permanently submerged siliceous rocks in unpolluted rivers and streams. Can be locally frequent but is probably often overlooked. Chemical reactions negative. Photo below with Bacidia inundata and Ionaspis lacustris.

Staurothele fissa on inundated rocks, Ballingeary area, Co. Cork. September 2009