Collemataceae Enchylium tenax sens lat. (Collema tenax sens lat.) Chemical results: Negative Very variable. Collema tenax var. tenax is the most frequent of three morphs on mortar in walls and on basic soils, sand and clay. Dark green-black thallus (swollen when wet), crowded lobes and red-brown apothecia with smooth margins. Isidia usually absent but large when present and can appear lobe-like. Asci usually 8-spored, spores 3-septate to muriform, 17-26 x 6.5-10.5 µm. Micro photograph below. Similar: C. tenax var. vulgare is usually very fertile with plumper lobes. Collema tenax var. ceranoides is rarely fertile with ascending lobes, C. bachmanianum has warted, crenulate margins, spores 26-36 x 10-15 µm

Microscope photograph



Collema tenax
Godlingston Hill and Dancing Ledge, the Purbecks, Dorset. October 2012 and February 2013