ASCOMYCOTA | LECANOROMYCETES > OSTROPALES > Graphidaceae

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

Common name:            -

Synonym:                    -

Habitat:                         Woodland

Substrata:                     Smooth bark

Growth form:                Corticolous

Thallus:                   Crustose

Apothecia:                    Lirellate

BLS identity rating:        Graded 3/5 (microscopic examination recommended to be sure)

Thallus thin, smooth and slightly glossy, occasionally a little cracked; rather variable, cream or whitish with a yellowish tinge, or pale grey with a yellowish or greenish tinge.

Lirellae often numerous and well scattered across the thallus, immersed, mostly short, sometimes branched or joined, but not as much as seen in Phaeographis dendritica; discs open at the base, flat, blackish, but more or less covered with fine white pruina; exciple inconspicuous with the carbonaceous margin not extending under the base.

Phaeographis smithii is very similar to Phaeographis dendritica, but differs visually by having a smoother, less cracked thallus, coupled with shorter, flatter, less branched lirellae. Phaeographis inusta also needs to be considered, although that species tends to have more stellate lirellae that often form intricate patterns. A combination of chemical testing and microscopic examination of the ascospores is recommended to ensure correct identification if the specimen being checked is going to be officially recorded. In that respect, it's interesting to note that South Hampshire (New Forest) and Dorset together have more confirmed observations for Phaeographis sp. on the NBN Atlas than any other county other than Devon with Phaeographis dendritica being the most frequently recorded.

Phaeographis smithii has local and somewhat limited distribution, mostly occurring in the southwest, west Wales and Ireland. It may be found in similar woodland habitats as Phaeographis dendritica, but perhaps is more likely to be seen on smooth- barked neutral to basic trees, whereas Phaeographis dendritica is described as favouring acid bark.

The photos feature here were looked at by an experienced lichenologist who erred towards Phaeographis smithii rather than Phaeographis dendritica, but without spot-testing and closer examination the identity cannot be confirmed.