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Possible Trapeliopsis

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  • January 9, 2024 at 4:11 pm #32752
    SylviaD
    Participant

      Hi,

      I found a lot of this sorediate lichen (photos attached) on the root base of a fallen tree, growing on moss, soil and decaying roots. It tested strong C red, K negative and UV negative. There were no apothecia. I was wondering if it was a Trapeliopsis, perhaps granulosa, but I have only ever seen this on fencing and the thallus of this lichen seemed very different. The thallus also had patches of brown jelly on it. The tree was in an area of old woodland in The Weald near Uckfield, Sussex.

      Thanks for your help.

      Sylvia

      January 9, 2024 at 5:09 pm #45867
      Neil Sanderson
      Senior Moderator

        Sylvia

        The soralia are very neat, remaining discreet and hemispherical and not a very bight green, and possibly the right colour to be Trapelia corticola (not that sure of this from the photo, should be “pale green with a brownish tinge”, which is very constant once known). This is an oceanic species of acid mossy substrates, normally on bark, but will be on other substrates. Like some other oceanic species it does get into the Weald see https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/resources/species-accounts/trapelia-corticola” class=”bbcode_url”>https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/resources/species-accounts/trapelia-corticola. The thallus is OK I think, the “dull green to green-brown areoles” match, while the thalli of sorediate Trapeliopsis species are given as ” greenish grey to grey-green, white to pale grey or blue-grey, granular” in the LGBI key, but normally I do not look this closely at the thallus! Not a 100% identification, but it looks like this.

        Neil

        January 11, 2024 at 5:18 pm #45868
        SylviaD
        Participant

          Thanks Neil, that’s great. The soredia were very like the description for Trapelia corticola, dot-like, fluffy balls and very discreet, but yes the colour in the photo does look ‘greener’ than pale green. But in real life they were fairly pale and stood out strongly from the thallus colour. First time I’ve ever found anything looking like that. It was Lake Wood, Uckfield, which you might know, although I don’t think it’s ever been surveyed before.

          Thanks for your help

          Sylvia

          April 18, 2025 at 5:43 pm #45869
          Jonhudsonecology
          Participant

            Would the Soralia being C red clinch the matter?

            April 19, 2025 at 7:00 pm #45870
            Neil Sanderson
            Senior Moderator

              No, C+ red material like this could still be a stunted Trapeliopsis flexuosa; Trapelia corticola is distinguished from that by the soralia size, form (very even sized and hemispherical) and colour.

              Neil

              April 19, 2025 at 7:00 pm #45871
              Neil Sanderson
              Senior Moderator

                No, C+ red material like this could still be a stunted Trapeliopsis flexuosa; Trapelia corticola is distinguished from that by the soralia size, form (very even sized and hemispherical) and colour.

                Neil

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