Description: This epiphytic species is readily recognised as one of the ‘scripture’ lichens, but is easily mistaken for forms of Graphis scripta on account of its slit-like or star-shaped discs that are tightly grouped and curved. However, in this species the serpentine discs almost curl round one another in dense mosaics, the darker centres frequently covered in pruina like a glaze of icing sugar. Under the microscope the spores will be seen to be muriform (divided into 30 cells or more) rather than septate (divided into fewer than 16 partitions). It occurs in a wide range of moist habitats on smooth-barked trees.

Key Identification Features:

• Grey thallus of slit-like discs, star-like, curved, coiled or serpentine, tightly concentrated
• Discs mostly iced over with pruina; spores, muriform with numerous cells.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

Distribution Map from NBN: Graphis inustuloides at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Graphis inustuloides at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.