Irish lichens

Phaeophyscia orbicularis
Order: Lecanorales       Family: Physciaceae

Species: Phaeophyscia orbicularis

Growth type foliose.
Photos: On rock and deciduous tree-trunk. Cork, SW Ireland.

Small pale grey to brownish-grey orbicular thallus which can become bright green when wet. Long, palmately-divided lobes with black undersides and dark, protruding rhizines. Dense creamy-greenish soralia, mottled bluish-black. Apothecia are infrequent.

Common on nutrient-rich bark, twigs and stone, also found on concrete and roads in urban areas. Orange-yellow patches on cortex and soredia are K+/- purple. Medulla: K-

Similar: Hyperphyscia adglutinata. White under-surface, few whitish rhizines.


Phaeophyscia orbicularis       Phaeophyscia orbicularis


Above: Phaeophyscia orbicularis on tree trunk. Macroom, Co.Cork. February 2009

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