Opegrapha hochstetteri  

Thallus not apparent, the ascomata developing in clusters on the thallus surface of  its host lichens.
Anamorph: conidiomata not seen in the material studied.
Teleomorph: ascomata apothecia, lirellate, 150-260 x 130-200 µm, 100-150 µm tall, black, unbranched, rectangular to almost elliptical in outline, straight or slightly curved, not spreading at the base, the ends obtuse to almost truncate. Disc slit-like, not exposed; margin slightly turgid, rounded, the surface finely rugose, matt, epruinose. Excipulum 20-25 µm thick in the lateral part of the lirella, 25-30 µm in the basal portion, the cavity ± orbicular in section; wall composed of small irregular angular cells that are almost completely occluded by melanized material, except for the innermost layers. Epithecium poorly developed, the upper part of the paraphyses immersed in a pale brown gelatinous layer. Hypothecium poorly defined, the asci and paraphyses developing from a narrow pale brown basal layer of tissue. Interascal tissue composed of thick-walled paraphyses 2-2.5 µm diam., irregular and sparingly branched in the upper part. Asci 54-61 x 14-16.5 µm, cylindric-clavate, shortly stalked or almost sessile, very thick-walled, fissitunicate, the apex rounded and strongly thickened with a distinct apical cushion, 8-spored. Ascospores arranged biseriately, 18-20.5 x 5.5-6.5 µm, cylindrical to cylindric-ellipsoidal, sometimes very slightly clavate, the ends rounded, 3-septate, strongly constricted at the septa, hyaline but becoming dark brown and swelling somewhat when over-mature, smooth, with a gelatinous sheath to ca 2 µm thick surrounding young spores.