Order: Ostropales       Family: Graphidaceae Species: Graphis scripta Growth type crustose, graphid. Very variable. Smooth or wrinkled white or grey thallus with curved or stellate apothecia. Centres of lirellae open, +/- white pruinose. Similar to G. elegans but carbonaceous margins are raised and unfurrowed. Asci 8-spored, spores 5-15 septate, 25-70 x 6-10 µm. Mature spores are colourless but may become brown when old. Microscope photographs below. Chemistry negative. Very common on smooth barked trees, branches and twigs. K-, P- One of the main species of the Graphidion lichen community found on smooth hazel stems. Sometimes parasitised by Stigmidium microspilum

Microscope photographs



Graphis scripta. Co. Cork, SW Ireland. January 2010 and 2012