Lichen: Acrocordia conoidea
Name: Acrocordia conoidea (Fr.) Korb. (1885)
Pronunciation: Acrocordia conoidea
Conservation Evaluation: Least Concern
General view showing the pink immersed thallus and the black perithecia. © Paul Whelan
Body Type: Crustose
Description: Looks like black dots on a pinkish thallus. The thallus is immersed in the substrate. The black dots are the perithecia (it does not reproduce by apothecia) which look like miniature (0.5-1 mm diameter) gently sloping volcanoes. Careful examination with a hand lens will reveal tiny pores or ostioles at the top with projecting papillae. The pycnidia (0.14 – 0.2 mm) are very small and numerous.
Specimen on hard limestone in the wall of an old Church. Photographed in the Burren. © Paul Whelan.
Chemical Tests: All negative.
Nature Notes: Typically found on hard limestone in shaded places such as the north side of walls or buildings (on the outer walls exposed to damp rather than direct rain). It may be difficult to separate from Acrocordia conoidea and Acrocordia salweyi.
Side view of perithecia showing their gently sloping conical shape. © Paul Whelan.
Vice County distribution map for Acrocordia conoidea: See Map
Link: Map this species on the Lichen Survey
Other Acrocordia recorded in Ireland
- Acrocordia gemmata (Ach.) A.Massal.
- Acrocordia macrospora A.Massal.
- Acrocordia salweyi (Leight. ex Nyl.) A.L.Sm.
Text and images © Paul Whelan, 2009.