Lecania cyrtella Ramalinaceae
Lecania cyrtella

Growth type crustose
Chemical results negative

Often in Xanthorion communities on twigs and nutrient-rich bark. Most frequent on Elder, Ash and Acers. Sometimes host to Echinodiscus lesdainii

Thin whitish or pale grey-green thallus with very small (<0.5mm), pale pinkish to red-brown apothecia, the thin thalline margin excluded with age. Spores 1(-3) septate, 10-16 x (3-)4-5 µm. Curved microconidia, 17-20 x 0.5 µm. Micro photo below.

Similar: Lecania naegelii (spores usually 3-5 septate) and L. cyrtellina
Lecanora persimilis appears similar but has simple spores


Lecania cyrtella


Lecania cyrtella


Lecania cyrtella

Microscope photograph
Lecania cyrtella
Lecania cyrtella
On Suaeda vera and Elder. Studland Heath, Dorset. April 2013, March 2015

All images used are copyright. Please contact me if you find errors.