Agyriaceae Spiloma auratum # Lichenicolous. Photographs on Dirina massiliensis f. sorediata Recorded in the south and east of Britain on Dirina massiliensis f. sorediata on the north side of old churches. A probably widespread but poorly-known hyphomycete thought to be initially lichenicolous before it develops its own thallus with a Trentepohlia photobiont. The soft brownish-black mounds are more or less convex and then coalesce into larger groups. When the outer dark layer of minute ripe sporules disperses or is rubbed off the distinctive yellowish-orange crust underneath becomes visible.

Spiloma auratum
Sturminster Marshall, Dorset. March 2014