Irish lichens

Graphina ruiziana

Order: Ostropales       Family: Graphidaceae

Species: Graphis ruiziana (Graphina ruiziana)

Growth type crustose.
Photo left on Holly, Gougane Barra, Co. Cork. Identified by Brian Coppins

Whitish or grey-green thallus, sometimes barely developed. The clusters of scattered prominent, elevated, short apothecia are 0.5-2.2mm in length, usually unbranched. True exciple is well developed, +/- shining, sometimes white-pruinose near disc, continuing below hymenium. Discs are narrow and slit-like. Pycnidia are occasional. Asci 8-spored, the spores muriform (usually with 7 transverse septa) 30-45 x 15-18 µm. Microscope photographs below.

Occurs on smooth, leached bark of Holly, young Oak and Rowan in damp, sheltered, upland woods. Most frequent in western Ireland. Chemical reactions negative.

Shown on same thallus as the smaller Graphina pauciloculata


Graphina ruiziana

Graphina ruiziana and Graphina pauciloculata

Graphina ruiziana

Microscope photographs
Graphina ruiziana

Graphina ruiziana
Graphina ruiziana and Graphina pauciloculata February 2010 and January 2012

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