Gold-eye lichen

Teloschistes chrysophthalmus

Description:

Es un liquen llamativo por su color naranja. Consta de un talo fruticuloso muy ramificado, en el que aparecen unos grandes apotecios en forma de copa plana. Los talos bajo los apotecios se deshilvanan en fibras finas o lacinias que dan al apotecio un aspecto estrellado. Teloschistes chrysophthalmus crece sobre ramas iluminadas de encinas y robles

This lichen is a 'fruticose' or 'shrubby' species; it is composed of branching lobes that form small orange tufts, which are almost spherical in shape and have spiny projections. The name of this genus, Teloschistes means 'split ends' and refers to the body of the thallus.
This species produces fruiting bodies called 'apothecia' which occur on short stalks. These contain a bag-like structure called an 'ascus', which contains spores. Because the fruiting bodies are produced only by the fungal partner of the lichen, after the spore has dispersed it must acquire cells of the correct alga or it will be unable to survive.

Habitat:

Found on well-lit twigs on shrubs and small trees, and prefers sheltered and sunny areas.
It is widespread in warm areas of both hemispheres.
At present, this lichen is currently not known from UK, but it is widely thought that it could reappear. The most recent records are from Cornwall in 1997 and 1998, and Devon in 1966, but it has since disappeared from both of these areas. It is believed to be extinct in Northern Ireland, but is still recorded in south-western Ireland.