Golden-eye Lichen

Teloschistes chrysophthalmus

"Teloschistes chrysophthalmus" is a fruticose lichen with branching lobes. Their sexual structures, apothecia, are bright-orange with spiny projections situated around the rim. It has a global distribution, but is often localized and rare in many parts of its range. Colonies most often form along coastal areas.
Golden-eye lichen - Teloschistes chrysophtalmus Growing on tree stump. Australia,Geotagged,Spring,Teloschistes chrysophthalmus,Teloschistes chrysophthalmus

Appearance

It is a twig species, meaning that it grows on twigs. It is rarely abundant. Several sites were discovered along the coast of England during 2012 and 2013, where the hosts include hawthorn and apple trees. In America it is known to grow on California live oak, dwarf coyote brush, Peritoma arborea, and magnolias.
Golden-eyes Lichen (Teloschistes chrysophthalmus) Clumps of bright orange-yellow lichen seen on tea-tree branches. The branched lichen had deep orange discs (apothecia) fringed with short spikey growths like lashes. Spotted on coastal dunes. Australia,Geotagged,Summer,Teloschistes chrysophthalmus

Naming

The genus name "Teloschistes" means "split ends", referring to the branched tips of the lichen. "Chrysophthalmus" in turn is formed from "chryso" and "phthalmus" meaning "gold eyed" referring to the orange or red apothecia.

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Taxonomy
KingdomFungi
DivisionAscomycota
ClassLecanoromycetes
OrderTeloschistales
FamilyTeloschistaceae
GenusTeloschistes
SpeciesT. chrysophthalmus
Photographed in
Australia