ASCOMYCOTA | LECANOROMYCETES > OSTROPALES > Graphidaceae

Genus Phaeographis, meaning 'grey-brown writing' from the shape and colour of the apothecia

Common name:            -

Synonym:                    Phaeographis smithii

Habitat:                         Woodland, wayside trees

Substrata:                     Smooth bark

Growth form:                Corticolous

Thallus:                  Crustose

Apothecia:                    Lirellate

BLS identity rating:        Graded 3/5 (microscopic examination required to be certain)

Thallus usually as a small patch, very thin, with the bark colour showing through, smooth and glossy; light grey to pale yellowish-brown, often with an olive-greenish tinge.

Lirellae grey-black, flat, 1-2mm long, more or less immersed, simple or, more likely stellate, indistinct exciple; the form of the patterns could be likened to the perception of Chinese writings.

Phaeographis inusta occurs on smooth-barked trees, especially hazel, but it is not common, and is only likely to be found from South Hampshire and the New Forest west to Cornwall, and up into west Wales.

From the description and photos that I've seen, I think the specimen featured below is very likely but, without spot-testing and closer inspection, it cannot be verified.