A characteristic feature of this fungus (or semilichen) is the apothecia immersed in oak bark, which when young resemble perithecia. The true exciple is strongly developed and composed of angular cells. The epihymenium contains a brown-green to olive-green pigment (KOH+ brown, HNO₃+ emerald green). Ascospores measure 30–80 × 4–8 µm and have 6–20 transverse septa; rarely, a single longitudinal septum occurs in the largest cells.
Karstenia dryina is known from weathered bark of older Quercus petraea in unmanaged oak forests. It occurs in lichen communities together with, for example, Acrocordia gemmata, Bacidia rubella, Caloplaca lucifuga, Hypocenomyce scalaris and Hysterium pulicare. In the Czech Republic, only four voucher specimens are known so far: three from the Křivoklát region and one from Podyjí National Park. The species was described only in 2024, so localities outside the Czech Republic are not yet known.
Literature: Vondrák J., Svoboda S., Malíček J., Šoun J., Košnar J., Svensson M., Timdal E., Machač J. & Palice Z. (2024): Combining environmental DNA data and taxonomic surveys provides an unprecedented understanding of lichen diversity and accelerates the discovery of new species. – Preslia 96: 351–417.
taxonomic classification:Ascomycota → Lecanoromycetes → Ostropales → Stictidaceae → Karstenia
All records: 4, confirmed 4. One click on a selected square displays particular record(s), including their source(s).