Irish lichens

Buellia disciformis

Order: Lecanorales       Family: Physciaceae

Species: Buellia disciformis

Growth type crustose.
Photos: On Ash. Co. Cork, SW Ireland. Left identified by Andy Acton

Thallus thin and smooth to thick and cracked, whitish to pale yellow-grey, often with black prothallus. Apothecia with flat to slightly convex black discs, the margins usually persistent. Asci 8-spored, spores brown, 1-septate, 17-26 x 7-10 µm. Micro photo below.
Thallus K+ clear yellow, C-, P+/- yellow, UV-

Can be frequent on twigs, branches and trunks of smooth-barked trees. Mainly found in west and north of Ireland.

Similar: Lecidella elaeochroma. Usually C+ orange, simple spores Diplotomma pharcidium can appear similar but is very rare, the spores 3-septate to sub-muriform


Buellia disciformis

Buellia disciformis

Microscope photograph
Buellia disciformis, asci and spores
Buellia disciformis March 2010 and January 2012

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