Phacothecium varium, Opegrapha physciaria Incertae sedis
Phacothecium varium # (Opegrapha physciaria)

Lichenicolous fungus. Photographs on Xanthoria parietina

Infrequently recorded on the thallus of Xanthoria parietina. Most records are from coastal areas BLS conservation evaluation: LC NR

Black apothecia (0.2-0.3mm wide) are initially immersed in the host thallus and then become superficial, usually with several clustered into an irregularly shaped wart-like structure. The asci are 8-spored, the spores hyaline becoming brown, 3-septate, 12-18 x 4-6(-8) µm with a thin perispore. Conidia hyaline, simple, 6-7.5 x 1 µm. Exciple K+ brownish-red in section. Micro photographs below.


Opegrapha physciaria, Phacothecium varium


Opegrapha physciaria, Phacothecium varium

Microscope photographs
Opegrapha physciaria, Phacothecium varium


Opegrapha physciaria, Phacothecium varium
Opegrapha physciaria (Phacothecium varium)
Holton Lee and Studland, Dorset. December 2012 and May 2015

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