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(Map updated: 11 August 2009)

This species forms a granular thallus which, to the naked eye, appears little more than a coarse, black charcoal stain on soil or wood. Black, globose discs are usually abundant with a dark, purple-brown hypothecium (bottom layer of the disc) under the microscope. Spores: three-septate. C+ red or C-: all other reactions are negative. Wooden tree stumps, decaying timber, acid bark and peat. Northern Ireland, rare elsewhere.

Key characteristics

• Black, stain-like, granular thallus with abundant spherical discs
• On decaying acid bark; disc with colourful purple-brown hypothecium in squash; occasionally C+ red.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini