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White Apothecia

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  • February 4, 2024 at 4:00 pm #32766
    Warwickshire-Lad
    Participant

      This Lichen caught my eye on a fallen dead tree with peeling bark, partly lying across a animal pathway in a mixed wood. As it was the first time I have come across white Apothecia I was intrigued and took a small sample for a closer look as the remaining tree/tree bark may not be around for much longer.

      The ice/mint/blue fine thallus and white prothallus also seemed distinctive. The “British Lichen” website seemed the best start for the Apothecia colour but after much more research I am still no closer to a name although possibly the Taxon I was leaning towards was Bacidina but not sure the Thallus is really correct.

      I have gone as far as I can, so any forum comments would be very welcome.

      February 4, 2024 at 5:24 pm #45918
      Mark Powell
      Participant

        I have a strong suspicion that your lichen is one of the pale-fruited individuals of Lecania naegelii. The apothecia of this species vary from almost pure white, through shades of pinkish-brown, brownish-grey to almost black. I think the thallus has been much eroded by invertebrate browsing.

        https://fungi.myspecies.info/taxonomy/term/7357/media

        Your suggestion of a Bacidia s. lat. isn’t at all a silly suggestion because the pale-fruited forms closely resemble some of the Bacidia and Bacidina species. In the the following link you will see that a lichen which I thought was a good candidate for Bacidina phacodes turned out to be pale-fruited Lecania naegelii.

        https://twitter.com/obfuscans3/status/1487751577922412544

        Lecania naegelii is a much more likely contender on a small branch/twig than B. phacodes or other look-alikes. Without microscopy we will never be absolutely certain of the identity of your lichen but it is very likely that it is L. naegelii.

        February 4, 2024 at 10:34 pm #45919
        Warwickshire-Lad
        Participant

          Mark thank you that makes sense – much appreciated.

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