Description: This species is rare in Ireland and entirely restricted to waterbodies on limestone. The pale grey-green or occasionally brown, smooth subgelatinous thallus forms slightly elevated, submerged colonies. Discs (perithecia) are variably projecting and mostly covered by a layer of thallus. Spores are broadly ellipsoid (12–13µm wide); average length (20–24µm). It grows submerged for long periods in the Burren turloughs.

Key Identification Features:

• Thallus subgelatinous, pale grey-green, colonies appear raised above the natural height of the stone as it affords the substratum some protection from solution
• In the submerged zone of lakes.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

Distribution Map from NBN: Verrucaria elaeomelaena s. lat. at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Verrucaria elaeomelaena s. lat. at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.