On decaying liverworts in forest, 8 spores per ascus, spores 10x3 um. Paraphyses present.
Our first look at H. sitchensis on the peninsula. On one of the first few large sitkas we checked, leaning out of the forest over the beach. This area is open but fairly sheltered from wind, directly below a swathe of big firs beloved by eagles that regularly visit the nearby stream to bathe. Around 5 ft off ground level, on a live defoliated branch maybe 20mm diameter. Thallus was facing ground, substrate branch was positioned behind some fully foliated branches that were suspended over the beach itself. Second pic by @aiva.
Confirmation ID by @eullstrom!
coordinates from geotag. more accurate coordinates available. soredia arising from pustules; large areas of cortex/medulla eroded away showing black lower cortex