Lichen: Diplotomma alboatrum
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Diplotomma alboatrum: note the lumpy thallus and the black apothecia.
Name: Diplotomma alboatrum (Hoffm.) Flot.
Pronunciation: Diplotomma alboatrum
Conservation Evaluation: Least Concern Body Type: Crustose
Diplotomma alboatrum: the apothecia discs are convex when mature.
Description: The thallus is white to grey and rather lumpy. The apothecia are numerous and range from small immature ones to larger mature types. The disc surface is flat to convex and frequently pruinose. The spores are colourless or brown and 3-septate.
Diplotomma alboatrum: note the ascus with the brown spores.
Chemical Tests: All reactions negative.
Nature Notes: Found in coastal areas, particularly on limestone and schists (Cork coast); also found on coarse nutrient-rich bark of deciduous trees such as Ulmus and Fraxinus. It is sometimes found as a parasite on Caloplaca and Xanthoria species.
Diplotomma alboatrum: among the 3-septate spores are some green chlorococcoid photobiont cells.
Vice County distribution map of Diplotomma alboatrum: See Map
Link: Map this species on the Lichen Survey
Other species recorded in Ireland
- Diplotomma alboatrum (Hoffm.) Flot.
- Diplotomma chlorophaeum (Hepp ex Leight.) Kr.P.Singh & S.R.Singh
- Diplotomma murorum (A.Massal.) Coppins
Text and images © Paul Whelan, 2009.