Lichenoconium lecanorae
Anamorph: conidiomata pycnidia, 40-80 (-100) µm diam., scattered or loosely aggregated, subglobose to broadly ovoid, with an irregular opening, immersed in the host thallus but becoming partially erumpent. Peridium pale to mid brown below, the exposed part blackened, composed of 2-4 layers of angular to rounded thin-walled cells, the outer layer darker and thicker-walled, K- or K+ pale purple. Conidiophores absent. Conidiogenous cells formed in a palisade extending over the entire inner surface of the conidioma, (4-) 5-7 (-8) x 3-3.5 (-4) µm, doliiform to cylindrical, ± hyaline, proliferating with 1-2 annelides and inconspicuous collarettes. Conidia (2.5-) 3.5-4.5 (-5.5) x (2.5-) 3-3.5 (-4) µm, length/breadth ratio 1.0-1.3, subglobose to broadly ellipsoidal, slightly to distinctly truncate at the base, brown to dark brown, slightly verruculose, without an epispore, gelatinous sheath or appendages.
Teleomorph: not known.
Assessed by Woods & Coppins (2012) as of Least Concern, but listed as Nationally Scarce due to the small number of records. It is probably frequently overlooked.
On thalli and apothecia of a wide range of foliose and crustose lichens, primarily from the Lecanoraceae and Parmeliaceae and most frequently reported on species of Lecanora. The host range needs testing further using molecular methods.
Scattered throughout the British Isles, with most records in East Anglia and Central England - probably reflecting recording effort. BLS map here.