Family: Tephromelataceae Species: Tephromela atra var. torulosa Growth type crustose. Specimen identified by John Douglass Photos: On tree trunk. Gougane Barra, Co. Cork, SW Ireland. Fresh thallus is slightly greenish-white. T. atra var. torulosa has a smaller thallus and apothecia than var. atra. Apothecia less than 1mm diameter, var. atra has apothecia 1-2.5mm. Asci 8-spored, spores simple, 10-15 x 5-8 µm. Apothecia purplish-red in section. Cortex K+ yellow, C-, KC+ yellow, P-. Medulla UV+ ice-white. Rare on deciduous trees, especially on branches. Tephromela atra var atra is occasionally found on trees but the apothecia are larger, 1-2.5mm diam.

Tephromela atra var. torulosa. August 2009