Family: Megasporaceae Circinaria hoffmanniana (Aspicilia contorta ssp. hoffmanniana) Growth type crustose Photos: Drinagh, Co. Cork, SW Ireland. Thallus thinner and slightly darker-grey than Circinaria contorta, the areoles at the margins flat and pressed together. The apothecia are prominent, 1(-3) on each areole. Asci (2-)4(-6) spored, spores simple, globose or subglobose, 17-28(-35) x (14-)17-26(-30) µm A pioneer, mainly urban, species tolerant of nutrient enrichment on cement, concrete, roof tiles and mortared walls. Scattered distribution in Ireland but appears most frequent in the north-east. Chemical reactions negative Similar: Circinaria contorta

Circinaria hoffmanniana (Aspicilia contorta subsp hoffmanniana). December 2011