Scoliciosporaceae Scoliciosporum chlorococcum Growth type crustose. Chemical reactions negative. Very pollution tolerant, easily overlooked on damp, shaded, nutrient-rich bark, wood and heather stems. Spreading greyish-green granular thallus, often sterile. in ascus. Asci 8-spored, spores only moderately coiled in ascus. Apothecia are glossy reddish-brown turning brownish-black when wet. Spores usually 7-septate, 20-40 x 4-5 µm but when occuring on twigs often only 3-4 septate. Microscope photograph below. Similar: Scoliciosporum umbrinum. When not fertile can be confused with Halecania viridescens and the green alga Desmococcus olivaceus

Microscope photographs



Scoliciosporum chlorococcum
Parkstone and Broadstone, Dorset. December 2012, April 2024