This inconspicuous lichen is usually found only as an anamorph, in the form of pycnidia. These are virtually indistinguishable in the field from several other species, such as M. melaeniza, M. misella and M. osloensis. A characteristic feature of M. nigella is the brown to slightly purple Melaena-red pigment (K+ green, HNO3+ purple-red) in the hymenium, hypotecium and pycnidia wall (Kantelinen et al. 2024). However, the pigmentation of the above-mentioned species is variable to some extent, so other characters, such as the length of conidia, must be carefully studied.
Infrequently found species of moist forests, typically old-growth forests dominated by firs and beeches. It usually grows on soft, rather rain-protected (but it is not a rule), heavily decayed wood of conifers (most often snags and stumps). Occasionally, it passes onto a bark and roots of dead trees or bryophytes. The species is sparsely distributed across the Czech Republic. Most often it is reported from old-growth forests but neither records in managed forests are exceptional – usually it is the first generation planted in areas where a primeval forest used to be, with large amount of dead wood left, such as big, slowly decaying stumps.
Literature: Palice Z. (1999): New and noteworthy records of lichens in the Czech Republic. – Preslia 71: 289–336. Kantelinen A., Svensson M., Malíček J., Vondrák J., Thor G., Palice Z., Svoboda S. & Myllys L. (2024): A phylogenetic study of Micarea melaeniza and similar-looking species (Pilocarpaceae) unveils hidden diversity and clarifies species boundaries and reproduction modes. – MycoKeys 106: 327–353.
taxonomic classification:Ascomycota → Lecanoromycetes → Lecanorales → Pilocarpaceae → Micarea
All records: 72, confirmed 67. One click on a selected square displays particular record(s), including their source(s).