ASCOMYCOTA | LECANOROMYCETES > OSTROPALES > Graphidaceae

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

Common name:            Common Script Lichen

Synonyms:                    See text

Habitat:                         Woodland, wayside trees

Substrata:                     Smooth bark

Growth form:                Corticolous

Thallus:                  Crustose

Apothecia:                    Lirellate

BLS identity rating:        Graded 1/5 (identification relatively easy with care)

Thallus smooth, slightly uneven or lightly wrinkled, typically forming patches from 2-8cm across; colour variable, off-white to pale grey or whitish-green to green-grey, sometimes yellowish.

Lirellae black, more or less immersed, but always slightly prominent, very variable, 5-25mm long, notably longer than in Graphis elegans, shape simple, curved, forked, branched or stellate, with raised unfurrowed carbonaceous margins, disc narrow and hardly visible; the lack of a furrowed margin makes the centres of the lirellae more open than in Graphis elegans.

The above is a general description for what is now being treated as a species complex.

Graphis betulina, Graphis persoonii and Graphis pulverulenta were previously regarded as questionable morphs that were simply listed as synonyms but, together with Graphis scripta s.str, are now recognised species in their own right. The associated write-ups on the BLS website confirm that mature specimens can usually be distinguished morphologically with care from photos. However, damp specimens cannot be reliably identified due to the discs being closed when dry, but opening wide when wet - this may only be applicable to Graphis scripta s.str, but still a point worth remembering.

Although I will continue to label as Graphis scripta s.lat in the broad sense, I will separate any candidates that look as though they can be further defined.

The distinguishing features of each species are confirmed on the following pages.

Common and widespread on moderately shaded, smooth-barked trees.

The examples featured below are undetermined, hence left here as Graphis scripta s.lat.