General:
Common Name: The Brownette Lichens. Stresses the miniature size and superficial resemblance to certain species of “brown” lichens (i.e., Melanelia and Neofuscelia).
Small stratified foliose lichens, weakly corticate above and below, isidiate or not, lobes closely appressed, elongate-linear, averaging to 0.2–0.4 mm wide, thin. Upper surface dark olive-brown, somewhat shiny, longitudinally striate or rarely smooth. Lower surface pale or dark, bearing scattered, short, simple rhizines. Medulla white. Photobiont blue-green.
Apothecia located over upper surface, disc brownish, rim thalline, spores simple, ellipsoid, colourless, 12–16 per ascus.
Over rock.
Notes: Vestergrenopsis is an arctic-boreal genus consisting of two species worldwide. Both of these occur in B.C. No lichen substances have been reported in this genus. For points of distinction with similar species, see the descriptions under Placynthium.

Species description:
Upper surface lacking isidia; apothecia common; northern

Source:  Lichens of British Columbia

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Illustration By:  Trevor Goward