Liceidae Licea parasitica Growth type: Lichenicolous myxomycete Photographs on Xanthoria parietina A myxomycete (slime mould) that is parasitic on both algae and decaying lichens on bark. It has been recorded on the thalli of corticolous Xanthoria parietina and a Physcia species (Physcia adscendens / tenella). Brown or brownish-grey fruiting bodies appear as slightly flattened spheres with a thin paler lid that bursts open when mature. The capitulum is either sparse or absent. Spores +/- spherical, 13-16 µm in diameter, brown with a thinner, paler wall on one side. Micrographs below. Description taken from Fay Newberry's article in the BLS Summer Bulletin 2020, pages 18 and 19

Micrographs



Licea parasitica, a lichenicolous myxomycete
Photographs: Broadstone, Dorset. November 2023