waxy crusts

 

The genus Vuilleminia, named after Paul Vuillemin, is characteristically in the UK considered to be 2 or 3 species of thin waxy crusts that occur beneath the bark of various trees. The commonest would be the very thin, often translucent but with violet tinges, non-cystidiate Vuilleminia comedens which is generally found on Oak, and the two less common lilac-toned but cystidiate Vuilleminia coryli almost always on Hazel, and the chalky-white Vuilleminia cystidiata found on Hawthorn normally. 

This lovely splash of colour along the Access Trail close to Hadlow Village is therefore very likely to be Vuilleminia coryli.  The thin crust is tightly covering the bare wood, and there are thin curled-up patches of bark visible on either side. It has that waxy look!

and in greater close-up, with a bit better light. The small white bumps and the slightly reddish edges of the crust and the red undersides of the freshly turned up bark do match many of the photos on-line.

Its a new species for me and a really gorgeous sight. I am so lucky to have found it!