Order: Pertusariales       Family: Ochrolechiaceae Species: Ochrolechia parella Growth type crustose. Photos: On coastal rocks, Toormore area, Cork, SW Ireland. Thick, warted, creamy-white or greyish thallus. White prothallus with zoned 'growth-rings' near thickened margins. Very fertile, numerous pinkish apothecia usually with cracked white pruina. The asci are 2-8 spored, spores simple, 45-75 x 25-45 µm. Common in both coastal and inland areas on hard, siliceous rocks and occasionally found on trees and weathered wood. Can be variable. Cortex K-, C- (or C+ yellow), UV-. Apothecia C+ red, KC+ red, UV+ white Associated lichenicolous fungi include Rhizocarpon ochrolechiae, Sclerococcum parellaria, Sphaerellothecium araneosum

     



Ochrolechia parella. Toormore, Co.Cork. January 2009