Irish lichens

Lecania cyrtella

Order: Lecanorales       Family: Incertae sedis

Species: Lecania cyrtella

Growth type crustose
Photos: On Ash twig. Droum Wood, Co. Cork, SW Ireland

Thin light grey or grey-green thallus with usually abundant, very small (<0.5mm), pinkish or brown apothecia. Thin grey thalline margin is excluded with age as discs become convex. Asci 8-16 spored, spores usually 1-septate, 10-15 x 4-5 µm, often bent when mature. Micro photo below. Chemical reactions negative.

Found on twigs and rough, nutrient-rich bark of Elder, Ash and Acers, often in Xanthorion communities.

Similar: Lecania naegelii, spores longer, mainly 3-septate.




Microscope photograph

Lecania cyrtella January 2012

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