Porinaceae Porina aenea Growth type crustose. Chemical results negative Found on trunks, branches and twigs of +/- shaded trees with smooth, basic bark, especially Ash and acers. Also on base of conifers in plantations. Can be common in urban areas, most frequent in southern England. Thin red-brown to green-brown thallus, prothallus absent. Small black perithecia (0.1-0.2(-0.3)mm) with indistinct ostiole. Involucrellum purplish-brown. Spores 3-septate, 13-20(-24) x 3.5-5 µm. Micro photo below. Similar: Porina borreri, larger perithecia, spores 6-7 septate. Corticolous Porina byssophila, involucrellum K+ blue-grey to dark grey-brown, spores 3(-7) septate (but usually 3-septate). Strigula taylorii has larger perithecia and numerous dark pycnidia, spores 1-septate, easily broken

Microscope photograph



Porina aenea
Kingston Lacy and Corfe Mullen, Dorset. December 2015, April 2025