Mycoblastus sanguinarius (L.) Norman

A species well recognisable thanks to the grey thallus, black convex apothecia and prominent layer with rhodocladonic acid (rich red pigment) in the medulla and lower apothecia parts. The pigment is well visible on damaged thallus or in a crosscut through a fruiting body. Infrequently, even soralia are formed (f. leprosus).

Mycoblastus sanguinarius grows on acidic bark of conifers and deciduous trees. Sometimes, it passes onto wood and occasionally even on siliceous rocks. It is a boreal-montane lichen, in central Europe linked to preserved mountain forests. In the Czech Republic, the species is typical for natural spruce forests but may be found also in mixed ones. It has been reported from most of the border mountain ranges and from the Brdy Hills. However, in higher abundances, it currently occurs only in the Šumava Mts. In the northern part of the country, the lichen has declined probably due to acid rain in the past.

Ascomycota → Lecanoromycetes → Lecanorales → Tephromelataceae → Mycoblastus