Phyllopsora buettneri

Spore Ascus

Thin Section

Thallus

Lichen Index

Phyllopsora buettneri ascus.

The two round-tipped objects are asci. The one on the left has eight spores (dark objects), the usual number for most (but not all) lichens. The straight thread like features between the asci are called paraphyses (pronounced "par-RAPH-pha- cees"). These provide support and packing for the asci within the fruiting body. They may be straight and unbranched as in this species or branched and spread in a reticulent pattern. In the latter case lichenologists use the term anastomosed.