Incertae sedis Xanthoriicola physciae # Lichenicolous fungus on Xanthoria parietina Widespread, locally common on both Xanthoria parietina and X. polycarpa. Can occasionally occur on Physcia species. Brown, septate hyphae are immersed in the host apothecia and thalli. The dark conidiophores produce warty, brown, globose conidia that turn the apothecia and surrounding dead thallus black and 'sooty' in appearance. Conidia are globose, brown, 4-6 x 4-6 µm. Micrographs below. Similar: Gonatophragmium lichenophilum forms a greenish-brown velvety layer with pale green-brown conidia. Cladosporium licheniphilum forms a reddish-brown spiky layer

Microscope photographs





Xanthoriicola physciae
On Xanthoria parietina. Dorset. February 2013, June and August 2023