Lichinaceae Watsoniomyces obsoletus (Lecidea lichenicola) Growth type crustose. BLS conservation evaluation: LC NS ?E IR Chemical results: negative A 'chalk specialistic' found on chalk pebbles in disturbed habitats (e.g. around rabbit burrows). Most records are from s and SE England. Immersed and inconspicuous thallus (sometimes slightly greenish-white due to alga), prothallus absent. Apothecia small and sometimes partly immersed, pinkish to red-brown, sometimes becoming black, with a persistent true exciple. Spores (14-)16-19 x (5-)6-8 µm, simple but sometimes appearing septate because of oil drops. Epithecium red-brown, K-, the hypothecium orange-brown. Micrographs below.

Microscope photographs



Lecidea lichenicola
On chalk pebble, Ballard Down, Dorset. August 2017