Description: This is a striking lichen of smooth bark; it does best in old, damp woodlands. In good condition it can be immediately told by olive green colour of the thallus and by the white powdery rim raised prominently around the flat, black discs arranged like an ancient black tribal script outlined in white chalk. In Ireland, this species is most often recorded from those counties furthest south.

Key Identification Features:

• Olive thallus on smooth bark, for example, holly, hazel; discs black with a white powdery rim
• Specimens with the colour washed out can be identified by the five-septate spores, 24–35µm long.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Phaeographis lyellii at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.