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(Map updated: 11 August 2009)

This lichen grows on shaded limestone in western Ireland. Look for it below cliffs and on the dry loose material which collects below limestone overhangs. The sometimes faintly visible, mostly endolithic, grey-brown to orange-brown thallus is dotted with spherical discs (black erect perithecia) with a distinct protective cap (involucrellum) which is violet, K+ blue-grey. The spore range is five- to eight-septate.

Key characteristics

• Thallus never superficial, often hidden below the limestone surface (endolithic), vague, grey-brown to orange-brown
• Perithecia black, prominent; involucrellum violet (microscope squash), K+ blue-grey; spores five- to eight-septate, occasionally shorter.

NBN Atlas mapping: Species account : NBN Atlas UK Species Observations database

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini