Small World Discoveries
by Tony Enticknap - tickspics
Taking a close look at insects and other small species that can be found in and around East Dorset and the New Forest ...
ASCOMYCOTA | LICHINOMYCETES > CANDELARIALES > Candelariaceae
Genus Candelariella, meaning 'little candle'
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Common name:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Members of the genus collectively known as 'goldenspeck lichens'
Synonym:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â -
Habitat:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Coastal (for this entry)
Substrata:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Rock and stone
Growth form:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Saxicolous
Thallus: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Crustose - placodioid
Apothecia:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Lecanorine, although normally absent
BLS identity rating:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Graded 1/5 (identification should be straightforward)
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Thallus usually clearly defined, circular or rosette, typically 2-4cm across, but often joined up to form larger patches; radiating lobes, flattened or slightly convex, tight against each other and continuous, a little pruinose, yellow, looking bright when dry and in the sun, but more grey-yellow, even a little greenish, when in the shade; the centre of the thallus is often areolate, tending to become granular-warty, turning yellowish-grey to almost black, or even completely disappearing; apothecia are rare or absent, around 1mm dia, discs flat, brown-yellow with a smooth or crenulate margin that disappears rapidly. Distinguished from Caloplaca species by a K- reaction if tested.
Still considered a rare species on natural calcareous rocks, although now abundant in the southeast and across much of the south in both shaded and sunny nutrient-rich man-made locations, such as in churchyards or on village walls; becoming much scarcer further west and north.
The following photos were taken at Portland Bill on a couple of the large cut rocks that have been put in place to edge the car park, and which are often used by various seabirds as perching stones.
Portland Bill, Isle of Portland, Dorset
Portland Bill, Isle of Portland, Dorset
Portland Bill, Isle of Portland, Dorset
Portland Bill, Isle of Portland, Dorset
Portland Bill, Isle of Portland, Dorset