Lichen: Lichina confinis
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Lichina confinis has terminal apothecia just 0.5 mm in diameter.
Lichina confinis showing the apothecia in close up.
Name: Lichina confinis (O.F.Müll.) C.Agardh
Pronunciation: Lichina confinis
Conservation Evaluation: Least Concern Body Type: Fruticose
Description: The thallus is dark olive-brown and grows as small compact tufts among seaweeds on the middle to upper shore. The tufts are rarely longer than 5 mm, while the area covered can reach lengths of 20 cm by 8 cm wide. The medulla and cortex are not easily distinguishable, both being a gelatinous mass of hyphae, algal cells and the cyanobacterial photobionts. Apothecia are found at the ends of the branches, to 0.5 mm diameter. Ascospores are simple, colourless, 12-18 × 10-15 µm.
Lichina confinis: overview of the thallus.
Chemical Tests: All tests negative.
Nature Notes: Found on the seashore from the middle to upper shore. Most abundant where the shore is sheltered and exposed to direct sunlight. It is frequently found in association with Caloplaca marina, Lecanora helicopis, Verrucaria maura. It is common around Ireland’s coastline.
Lichina confinis showing the shrubby thallus. This specimen is wet to show the short lobes and the gelatinous olive-brown appearance.
Vice County distribution map of Lichina confinis: See Map
Link: Map this species on the Lichen Survey
Other species recorded in Ireland
- Lichina pygmaea (Lightf.) C.Agardh
Text and images © Paul Whelan, 2009.