ASCOMYCOTA | LICHINOMYCETES > CANDELARIALES > Candelariaceae

Genus Candelariella, meaning 'little candle'

Common name:            -

Synonyms:                    Formerly Candelariella reflexa

Habitat:                         Woodland, parkland, wayside trees

Substrata:                     Bark

Growth form:                Corticolous

Thallus:                  Crustose

Apothecia:                    Lecanorine, very rare

BLS identity rating:        Graded 1/5 (identification should be straightforward)

Thallus composed of contiguous or dispersed yellow-green granules or minute corticate squamules, with the margins rapidly breaking down, forming bright yellow spherical soredia that look like small fluffy balls, often abundant and covering the whole surface, appearing as a leprose crust; apothecia very rare, yellow to about 0.5mm dia.

Candelariella xanthostigmoides - formerly recorded as Candelariella reflexa - is a common and widespread species that is generally found either in nutrient-enriched habitats on rough-barked trees, particularly around the base up to the level where dogs can urinate, in various locations including such as around farms, parkland or even in built-up areas, also on sloping trunks or boughs of large Willows (Salix) or Elder (Sambucus); the other, as tiny, easy to overlook patches growing amongst other lichens on a variety of broadleaved trees in woodland or open situations offering some shade.

All of the examples currently featured here were found on small branches of a Rowan (Sorbus) that unfortunately had to be cut down as it had died.