K. Svenska Vetensk. Akad. Handl. 20, 8: 112 (1884).

Synonyms: Index Fungorum

Type: Sweden, Härjedalen, Hamrafjellet vid landsvägen midt emot Lillpersvallen, 1878, P. J. Hellbom (GB - holotype).

Thallus: inapparent, apothecia associated with a subgelatinous algal film. Apothecia round, lecidioid, 0.1 - 0.3 mm diameter, black, matt and finely roughened, partly immersed in algal film to sessile, at first plane, later convex. In section ca. 95 - 100 µm tall, all parts non-amyloid even after pretreatment with 10% KOH. Epithecium 7 - 10 µm tall, dark brown, K+ olivaceous-brown. Hymenium ca. 40 - 50 µm tall, hyaline or dilute yellowish-brown, K+ dilute olivaceous-yellow. Paraphysoides numerous, dense, much branched, ca. 1.7 - 2 µm wide in mid-hymenium; apices branched and knobby, with dark brown apical caps up to 4.8 µm wide. Asci 35 - 40 - 45 / 20 - 26 - 30 µm, broadly clavate to subglovose with distinct stalk, completely nonamyloid, 8-spored. Ascospores 17-22-24 /7 - 9 µm, hyaline or becoming brown when old, smooth, 1-septate, ellipsoid to oblong-ovoid, constricted at septum; upper cell sometimes slightly wider than the lower. Hypothecium ca. 45 - 55 µm tall, straw-brown to dark-brown, K+ olivaceous tinge. A thin, dark brown, exciple-like zone is sometimes apparent along the base of the apothecium. Conidiomata not known (Coppins 1989: 204).

Photobiont: Data lacking.

Chemistry: No lichen substances.

Ecology: On rotten wood, bark and acidic soil.

Molecular data: Genbank

Distribution: Database

Note: The biological status is uncertain. The specimens are associated with a perplexing mixture of algae, which is often seen as an unorganized subgelatinous film; they could be parasitic or weakly lichenized with at least some of the algae, or they could be saprophytic on organic material in the algal film or the substratum.

Pictures: Tropical Lichens