Lichen News


January 2013: More Finds of Teloschistes chrysophthalmus


After the recent finds of the beautiful southern lichen, Goldeneyes Teloschistes chrysophthalmus in the Isle of Wight and Hampshire, both first records since the 19th century, further locations have been found.

Mark Jackson has filled in the gap between Hampshire and Kent by finding two specimens on two separate Hawthorns, over two miles inland of Rottingdean just East of Brighton on the on the 21st of December 2012. The species was recorded from Shoreham, Brighton and Lewis in the 19th century, between 1809 and 1879, but not seen in the county since, so this is a return to old haunts. The find was confirmed and photographed by Simon Davey.

Teloschistes chrysophthalmus in Sussex

Just in, is another find for Hampshire. Phillip Budd with Eric Clement and Ginnie Copsey, had a search in Southampton for Teloschistes chrysophthalmus on the 5th January and were rewarded with a single specimen in an apple tree in the east of the city.

Teloschistes chrysophthalmus in Southampton

I fully expect more thalli to turn up; it is definitely worth looking out for this lichen