Common Script Lichen
Graphis scripta
The elongated black fruiting bodies are called lirellae, and their resemblance to man-made script gave the species its name.
- Scientific name
- Graphis scripta
- Taxonomy
- Fungi › Ascomycota › Lecanoromycetes › Ostropales › Graphidaceae › Graphis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Smooth bark of deciduous trees, particularly beech, hazel, and ash in shaded, humid woodlands.
- Diet
- Symbiotic; the fungal partner gains carbohydrates from the photosynthetic green alga (Trentepohlia).
- Range
- North America, Europe, Asia, Northern Africa
- Size
- Thallus typically 2-10 cm in diameter; lirellae 1-2 mm long.
- Lifespan
- 20-50 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Air pollution (specifically sulfur dioxide), intensive forestry, and loss of ancient woodland.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. Observe the intricate 'writing' on smooth-barked trees. Avoid picking or scraping the lichen, as it takes years to establish and is sensitive to physical damage.
Graphis scripta is a crustose lichen in the Graphidaceae family. It is commonly called script lichen , secret writing lichen , or similar names, because its growth pattern makes it looks like writing. Stigmidium microspilum and Arthonia graphidicola are associated lichenicolous fungi. It is variable with either curved or stellate apothecia. The margins are carbonaceous and raised, without furrows. Mature spores are without color, but become brown with age.
Photo: Norma Malinowski, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
Plain-text version: /species/50bc9525-67df-4f3b-b843-97a79c861a67.md