Pseudotrichia viburnicola; fungus looking more like lichen

JennyS · Post by **JennyS** » Fri Jan 11, 2019 8:45 pm

This tiny asco was found in Dorset on a shaded Sambucus branch and with the strong K+ crimson reaction I initially wondered if it might be a lichen. Spores were 7(-9) septate, 55-62 x 9-12 µm

However it was identified by Paul Cannon as Pseudotrichia viburnicola.
Quote: "It's not lichenized (and most probably a fungal parasite) and it is quite frequently found in the south in algal mats on bark of attached dead twigs in shady situations. It's not specific to particular trees, I have seen it on Clematis, Euonymus, Hedera, Sambucus and Ulmus."

One to look out for and thanks again Paul!