Description: Fast-flowing rivers on unpolluted stretches of siliceous bedrock may have this species. The smooth, thick, mostly unbroken, well-developed dark grey-green subgelatinous thallus – revealing just the black tips of the discs (perithecia) separates it from its lookalikes in the submerged zone habitat. The narrowly ellipsoid, medium sized (c. 22–26µm long), spores will help you clinch its positive identification. It is scattered in Ireland, but likely under-recorded.

Key Identification Features:

• Thallus subgelatinous, dark grey-green, quite thick in places, unbroken but for an occasional crack
• Perithecia mostly squat and sunken, their black tips only visible; a submerged lichen usually seen during very low water or drought.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Verrucaria funckii at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.