Family: Ramalinaceae Species: Lecania naegelii Growth type crustose. Photos: On Ash and Oak twigs. Co. Cork, SW Ireland. Thallus pale-yellowish, green or greyish-green, often forming small patches among other species. Tiny, flat to convex apothecia (0.2-0.6mm), the discs white, bluish, brown-grey or black, often piebald when wet. Weakly developed thalline margins, usually paler than discs. Apothecia are small and best seen with a hand lens. Spores often bent, 3(-5) septate, 13-24 x 4-5 µm. Paraphyses unbranched. Microscope photograph below. Chemical reactions negative. Usually in Xanthorion communities on nutrient-rich twigs and bark. Very frequent on Ash, widespread but under-recorded in Ireland. Similar: Micarea peliocarpa, C+ red, branched paraphyses

Microscope photograph

Lecania naegelii January 2010, March and April 2012