Irish lichens


Order: Lecanorales       Family: Rhizocarpaceae

Species: Rhizocarpon lavatum

Growth type crustose.
Photos: On stones in wall. Gougane Barra, Cork, SW Ireland.
Identified by John Douglass

Grey to pale ochre-brown thallus, greener when wet or shaded, smooth or cracked. Prothallus weak or absent. Apothecia +/- flat, discs black, not pruinose, thick persistent dark-brown margins.
Asci 8-spored, spores muriform, colourless, 30-40 x 14-18 µm.

Occurs on damp siliceous rocks near upland streams and lake edges. Chemical reactions negative.

Similar: Rhizocarpon reductum. Usually K+ yellow, P+ orange.


Rhizocarpon lavatum

Rhizocarpon lavatum

Rhizocarpon lavatum
Rhizocarpon lavatum. August 2009

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