Description: A lirellate, crustose species characteristic of smooth bark on neutral to basic substrates. It is not as common as the similar Phaeographis dendritica which also occurs in similar habitats. In Ireland, it is not infrequent on suitable substrates but mainly in the west and south-west.

Key Identification Features:

• It is very similar to Phaeographis dendritica, but usually has shorter, fatter flattened lirellae. It can only be confirmed by taking a slice through the apothecia. Phaeographis dendritica has a black base to the fruit resulting from a closed exciple
• Phaeographis smithii lacks this characteristic as the base of the exciple is open
• Graphina anguina may sometimes look similar, but is easily distinguished as it has large, muriform spores.

Original text submitted by Simon Davey

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

iNaturalist: Phaeographis smithii at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.