LICHALP

Leptorhaphis epidermidis (Ach.) Th. Fr.

Syn.: Arthopyrenia epidermidis (Ach.) A. Massal., Arthopyrenia oxyspora (Nyl.) Mudd, Campylacia epidermidis (Ach.) Vain., Campylacia oxyspora (Nyl.) Anzi, Leptorhaphis oxyspora (Nyl.) Körb., Lichen epidermidis Ach., Pyrenula oxyspora (Nyl.) Hepp, Sagedia oxyspora (Nyl.) Tuck., Spermatodium epidermidis (Ach.) Trevis., Spermatodium oxysporum (Nyl.) Trevis., Verrucaria epidermidis (Ach.) Ach., Verrucaria oxyspora Nyl.

Non- or doubtfully lichenised.

Substrate: bark

Altitudinal range: from the submediterranean/colline belt (potential vegetation: mixed deciduous forests dominated by Quercus and Carpinus) to the montane belt (potential vegetation: deciduous forests dominated by Fagus sylvatica and closed coniferous forests with Picea abies)

Note: a probably non-lichenised species with an inconspicuous thallus, ellipsoid ascomata, and 1-septate, narrowly fusiform, somewhat curved ascospores (25-35 × 2-3.5 µm); on Betula, mostly on the smooth bark of thick branches; widespread in Europe, including the Alps, but still not recorded in some countries.