ASCOMYCOTA | LECANOROMYCETES > OSTROPALES > Graphidaceae

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

Common name:            Common Script Lichen

Synonym:                    Graphis scripta s.lat

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 white, grey, or more usually pale yellowish-brown; uneven and cracked along the lirellae.

Lirellae elongate, curved, often stellate, to around 10mm long; discs visible, conspicuously white-pruinose when mature.

Graphis pulverulenta is one of the two common species of the Graphis scripta s.lat group, and probably more frequent than Graphis scripta s.lat. Unfortunately, the brief description confirmed above doesn't include much in the way of detail to help distinguish it from the other species in the group, although any evidence of a cracked thallus running alongside the lirellae could be useful, especially if seen in conjunction with exposed white-pruinose discs. Also, that this is the only one of the four species where the lirellae are described as often stellate.

And, it should be remembered that both of the less common species Graphis betulina and Graphis persoonii are quite distinctive in their own right which, in theory, means that any other unidentified species should be either Graphis pulverulenta or Graphis scripta s.str. Of course, that assumes that the initial identity is correct as I'm still not a hundred percent sure that I can reliably distinguish Graphis scripta from all of the other script lichens!

It is especially common on Beech (Fagus), Hazel (Corylus) and Hornbeam (Carpinus) trees in less acid habitats.

The following examples are not certain, but are considered very likely, hence separated here from Graphis scripta s.lat for personal reference purposes.