ASCOMYCOTA | LECANOROMYCETES > OSTROPALES > Graphidaceae

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

Common name:            Common Script Lichen

Synonyms:                    Graphis scripta s.lat, Graphis macrocarpa

Habitat:                         Woodland, wayside trees

Substrata:                     Smooth bark

Growth form:                Corticolous

Thallus:                  Crustose

Apothecia:                    Lirellate

BLS identity rating:        Not listed

In the broad sense as Graphis scripta s.lat., but with the following distinguishing features:

Thallus grey to brown; typically, cracked and uneven.

Lirellae straight, curved or branched, up to 6mm long, usually with rounded rather than acute ends; discs exposed, dark brown, non-pruinose, thalline margin absent.

Graphis persoonii is one of the two less common species of the Graphis scripta s.lat group, characterised in particular by the conspicuously open, dark brown, non-pruinose discs with a greatly reduced (effectively absent) thalline margin.

The preferred habitat of this species is, as yet, undetermined.

The examples featured below are not certain, but look quite likely, hence separated here from Graphis scripta s.lat for personal reference purposes - the first specimen growing with Pertusaria hymenea.