Lichen: Leptogium cochleatum
« Back
Leptogium cochleatum showing the brown colour when dry.
Name: Leptogium cochleatum (Dicks.) P.M.Jørg.& P.James
Pronunciation: Leptogium cocleatum
Conservation Evaluation: Vulnerable, Nationally Scarce, International Responsibility. Near Threatened.
Body Type: Fruticose
- Leptogium cochleatum showing the wavy lobes. The light yellow spots on the waves are the emerging apothecia.
Description: The shiny thallus (when wet) displays a dark grey to greenish blue colour. It is matt when dry and has gentle elongated ridges. Apothecia are usually frequent with red-brown discs and wrinkled rims. The thallus lobes are tightly packed, overlapping and wavy and can reach sizes of 10 cm or more. No isidia are present. Apothecia are less than 3 mm in diameter. The spore sizes fall into the range of 20-30 x 12 – 16 µm.
Chemical Tests: All reactions negative. No lichen substances.
Nature Notes: Found in damp shaded woodlands and on mossy rocks. Found especially on hazel and ash and other basic trees. A rare and vulnerable lichen in Ireland. Requires protection.
Vice County distribution map: See Map
Link: Map this species on the Lichen Survey
Leptogium cochleatum
Other species recorded in Ireland
- Leptogium biatorinum (Nyl.) Leight.
- Leptogium brebissonii Mont.
- Leptogium britannicum P.M.Jørg.& P.James
- Leptogium burgessii (L.) Mont.
- Leptogium corniculatum (Hoffm.) Minks
- Leptogium cyanescens (Rabenh.) Körb.
- Leptogium diffractum Kremp.ex Körb.
- Leptogium gelatinosum (With.) J.R.Laundon
- Leptogium hibernicum Mitchell ex P.M.Jørg.
- Leptogium juressianum Tav.
- Leptogium lichenoides (L.) Zahlbr.
- Leptogium massiliense Nyl.
- Leptogium plicatile (Ach.) Leight.
- Leptogium schraderi (Ach.) Nyl.
- Leptogium subtile (Schrad.) Torss.
- Leptogium tenuissimum (Dicks.) Körb.
- Leptogium teretiusculum (Wallr.)
Text and images © Paul Whelan, 2009.