Order: Lichinales       Family: Lichinaceae Species: Ephebe hispidula Growth type filamentous. Photos: On acidic upland rocks. Ballingeary, Cork, SW Ireland Looks like a smaller, bushier version of Ephebe lanata with numerous short, spine-like lateral branchlets. The sub-globose apothecia rare, asci (8-)16 spored, spores 7-10 x 4-5 µm. Pycnidia frequent, conidia colourless, 2-3 x 1 µm. Micrograph showing conidia below. Found on damp rocks and in seepage tracks on siliceous rocks and boulders in acidic upland areas. Chemical reactions negative. Similar: Ephebe lanata has a smoother, flatter thallus. The asci are 8-spored, spores 11-18 x 3.5-6 µm.

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Microscope photograph

Ephebe hispidula. February 2009