ASCOMYCOTA | LECANOROMYCETES > TELOSCHISTALES > Teloschistaceae

Genus Caloplaca, meaning 'beautiful patches'

Common name:            -

Synonyms:                    Caloplaca lactea, Xanthcarpia marmorata

Habitat:                         Coastal

Substrata:                     Rock, shells, stone

Growth form:                Saxicolous

Thallus:                  Crustose

Apothecia:                    Lecanorine

BLS identity rating:        Graded 3/5 (cannot be sure without microscopic examination)

Thallus thin or immersed, sometimes hardly visible, whitish; apothecia small, no more than 0.5mm dia., scattered all over the thallus, plane or concave when young, rounding out to a more convex form as the lichen develops, sometime forming shallow pits in the substratum, disc bright orange-yellow, slightly translucent when wet, margin typically concolourous or slightly paler.

Formerly recorded as Caloplaca lactea, this is an uncommon pioneer species that may be found on calcareous rocks, shells and the tops of tombstones, usually on south-facing flat or slightly sloping surfaces.

Identification somewhat tentative - included for future reference.