ASCOMYCOTA | LECANOROMYCETES > OSTROPALES > Graphidaceae

Genus Graphis, meaning 'writing' from the appearance of the apothecia

Common name:            -

Synonyms:                    Graphina anguina

Habitat:                         Woodland, wayside trees

Substrata:                     Smooth bark

Growth form:                Corticolous

Thallus:                  Crustose

Apothecia:                    Lirellate

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

Thallus thin, slightly shiny, usually winked and cracked; whitish-grey.

Lirellae mostly immersed, serpentine, simple or branched, sometimes star-shaped, terminating in pointed ends; distinguished by the white rim of the thallus being pushed up around the exciple; the true exciple being thin, black and unfurrowed, but often inconspicuous; discs narrow and slit-like, or slightly expanded, sometimes white-pruninose.

Graphis inustuloides is regarded as a widespread although infrequent species, more common in the south and west; occurring partially shaded smooth-barked trees especially in coppiced or secondary woodland.

As noted, this species cannot be confirmed without microscopic examination as it could be confused with Graphis scripta or more likely with Graphis betulina which also has discs with conspicuous raised thalline margins. However, the particular specimen featured here appears very likely - visually looking extremely similar to photos of confirmed species, and being the only example like this that I've been able to find in this woodland. Furthermore, the actual location is an open, but shaded area, where many of the trees have been coppiced.