Abrothallaceae Lichenoconium xanthoriae # Lichenicolous fungus. Photographs on Xanthoria polycarpa Identification confirmed by Brian Coppins Widespread but infrequent on apothecia of Xanthoria polycarpa, also recorded on X. parietina, Teloschistes chrysophthalmus, Cetrelia. . Immersed or erumpent black pycnidia discolour then blacken the host apothecia. Conidia simple, brown or dark brown, +/- spherical, almost smooth to verruculose, (2.5-)3-4.5(-6) µm diam. Micrographs below. Similar: Xanthoriicola physciae on Xanthoria parietina and X. polycarpa also has round conidia but the host becomes black and 'sooty'.

Microscope photographs




Lichenoconium xanthoriae
On Xanthoria polycarpa. Holton Lee, Dorset. October 2012