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| The Teloschistes chrysophthalmus habitat in Sussex weald |
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The morning was one of the brightest spring days of
the year so far. Since January 3rd, my wife Amanda has been taking a
photograph of exactly the same view of a field near where we live. Since
being shown
Teloschistes chrysophthalmus just north of Brighton,
we have been keeping our eyes open for it. This morning, having taken
her photograph, Amanda was struck by the assemblage of lichens,
including the golden
Xanthoria species that seem to be associated with
Teloschistes chrysophthalmus growing on a blackthorn bush nearby. She went over to give the bush a casual look.
After perhaps half a minute, the air went blue.
“Sod it!” She cried.
“What’s the matter.” I replied, furrowing my brow in concern.
“Come and see!” she said.
“I’m not sure I want to see something that’s not too pleasant,” I added.
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| The twig with Teloschistes chrysophthalmus |
“You’ll like this,” she replied enthusiastically. I
walked over to where she was standing, and she pointed to a very small,
very fertile orange coloured lichen. Indeed, the fruits seemed to be
raised on definite branches, and I could see what I thought were
eye-lash like cilia surrounding the fruit. It looked very promising.
Amanda dashed inside to get my hand lens and camera. Moments later, I
was able to confirm our suspicions with my hand lens.
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| The new Teloschistes chrysophthalmus |
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The lichen was very small, but I was in no doubt whatsoever that this was indeed the beautiful Golden-eyed Lichen
Teloschistes chrysophthalmus
and the second record of it for East Sussex and one of the mounting
number of sightings in southern England since October last year.
