New ID help request.

[Deborah]

Hello.

I think I’m seeing Pertusaria leioplaca (the limey green) Phaeographis smithii (the little black marks on white background) and another (the generalised whiter areas) which I can’t see at all on my reference sheet.

Any help and pointers very much appreciated!

Is this correct that so many species are jostling for space on a 4 in diameter branch?

[Neil Sanderson]

Deborah

Thanks for the question. As always photo IDs come with a health warning, it is often not possible to be sure! The lichens are also wet, which is not idea, but at the moment rather inevitable (dry lichens are easier). It also helps to give the habitat and general area of the country.

I agree that you have Pertusaria leioplaca and very likely Phaeographis smithii. It is just possible for the latter to be Phaeographis dendritica but not likely on a twig. They can de definitively serrated by a apothecia cross section. In Phaeographis dendritica the black margin of the apothecia goes right under the apporthecia and joins up with the margin on the other side, while in Phaeographis smithii there is a gap under the apothecia, see this link https://www.fungi.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=2302 of pictures of Phaeographis smithii.

The whiter lichen is a bit over exposed, so the detail is not clear, but it looks like another Pertusaria. From the general look I would say Pertusaria multipuncta (now called Lepra multipuncta I am afraid). It is whiter, and has some granular material over the disk but looks rather different from any pictures you will see as it is wet. This is a widespread species of branches and well lit trunks in sheltered locations in the south and west. To confirm you need to do a spot test. It has a slowly developing spot test reaction to K going chestnut brown eventually on the apothecia disk.

Quote:

Is this correct that so many species are jostling for space on a 4 in diameter branch?

Oh yes and you could get a lot more in good conditions!

Best of luck with lichens

Neil

[Deborah]

Thank you for taking the time to give me such a detailed response.

Yes, I should’ve indicated in my query, I’m in Brittany, France about 20 miles inland. It’s often pretty wet😉 especially at the moment.

I posted a query the other day and Mark Powell kindly explained about spot testing with K and Im going to mix a strong solution of caustic soda and give it a go.

So much to learn, but what a fascinating subject!

There will be more from me I’m sure!

[Author]

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