Caloplaca flavescens Teloschistaceae
Variospora flavescens (Caloplaca flavescens)

Growth type placodioid (crustose with lobed margins)
Chemical results: K+ crimson / purple

Very common on hard calcareous rocks, walls, headstones and memorials.
Host to Intralichen christiansenii, Weddellomyces epicallopisma

Thallus is +/- circular or arc-shaped with narrow yellow-orange lobes and a whitish centre which often disintegrates with age. Numerous orange apothecia with paler margins. Soredia and isidia are absent. Ascospores are polarilocular and swollen at the septum, 12-15 x 8-10 µm.

Similar: Caloplaca aurantia and Caloplaca saxicola


Caloplaca flavescens


Caloplaca flavescens


Caloplaca flavescens

Caloplaca flavescens
Wareham churchyard, Dorset. August 2012

All images used are copyright. Please contact me if you find errors.