A relatively conspicuous crustose lichen. Its thallus is grey-white, regularly finely areolate, up to 5 mm thick, and contains confluentic acid as the main secondary metabolite. Microscopically, the thick-walled ascospores and pale hypothecium are characteristic.
The lichen grows on various siliceous rocks, especially on mineral-rich, metamorphic or volcanic subbases. Its juvenile forms often parasite on members of the genus Aspicilia s. l. Lecidea tessellata is one of the less common species in the Czech Republic. It may be found in xerothermic habitats at low and middle elevations, most often on rather basic natural igneous rocks. In Europe, it has been reported from higher elevations as well (e.g. Nimis et al. 2018).
The variety caesia, growing on calcareous substrates in mountains, is usually distinguished. It differs from the nominate form mainly by the blue tint of the thallus. This taxon has not been found in the Czech Republic yet.
Literature: Nimis P. L., Hafellner J., Roux C., Clerc P., Mayrhofer H., Martellos S. & Bilovitz P. O. (2018): The lichens of the Alps – an annotated checklist. – Mycokeys 31: 1–634.
taxonomic classification:Ascomycota → Lecanoromycetes → Lecanorales → Lecideaceae → Lecidea
Red List (Malíček 2023):C3 – endangered
Occurrence in the Czech Republic
All records: 31, confirmed 31. One click on a selected square displays particular record(s), including their source(s).