ASCOMYCOTA | LECANOROMYCETES > TELOSCHISTALES > Teloschistaceae

Genus Caloplaca, meaning 'beautiful patches'

Common name:            -

Synonym:                      Flavoplaca maritima

Habitat:                         Coastal

Substrata:                     Rock

Growth form:                Saxicolous

Thallus:                  Crustose

Apothecia:                    Lecanorine

BLS identity rating:        Graded 2/5 (visual identification possible with care)

Thallus thin, extensively cracked-areolate, areoles squamulose, tinged with pearly gloss, overall colour is yellowish, duller in sheltered areas, but more golden-yellow when well lit, usually limited by an inconspicuous pale orange to white prothallus; apothecia, emerging from squamules, usually numerous and scattered, up to 1mm dia., disc initially flat becoming convex, brownish wax-yellow with a distinct yellow thalline margin.

This species should not be confused with Caloplaca marina which grows in a lower zone and is much brighter, more orange although sometimes blackish due to cyanobacteria, and has far less and smaller apothecia. Caloplaca maritima is found in the upper xeric-supralittoral zone, which is only occasionally subjected to spray. It is common on vertical smooth, weakly acid or neutral rocks, and sometimes on stone walls near the seashore. Specimens growing on calcareous rocks are likely to be less fertile.