SafePlants

Pin Lichen

Pin lichens, also known as calicoid lichens, are a group of crustose lichens characterized by their distinctive fruiting bodies that resemble dressmaker's pins.

Considerations for Pets

• Pin lichens are crustose, meaning they form a crust-like growth on surfaces. While not explicitly stated to be toxic, removal can be difficult and may damage the substrate they are attached to.
• Some descriptions mention the fruiting bodies resemble black pins. It may be worth preventing access to or ingestion of these, where practical.

Considerations for Children

• Pin lichens are described as having fruiting bodies shaped like small pins, sometimes black in color. These are small and may present a choking hazard to very young children if detached from their growing surface.

Scientific Name and Common Names

• Common Names: Pin Lichen, Calicoid Lichen, Pin-head Lichen, Sulphur Pin Lichen, Stubble Lichen

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Pin lichens include members of the genus Chaenotheca.
• Chaenotheca belongs to the family Coniocybaceae.
• Synonym: Coniocybe furfuracea (for Chaenotheca furfuracea)
• Scientific Name: Chaenotheca furfuracea (Sulphur Pin Lichen)

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Pin lichens are crustose, forming a flat, crust-like layer on the substrate.
• They possess small, upright fruiting bodies (apothecia) that look like dressmaker's pins or pin-heads.
• The fruiting bodies often consist of a stalk with a powdery mass of spores on top (mazaedium).
• Some species have stalked apothecia, while others may have apothecia that do not break down into a powdery mass.
• Apothecia can be less than 1 mm in height and may be black.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Lichens are usually a combination of a fungus and a green algae or a blue-green algae.

Distribution and Habitat

• Some calicioid species (pin lichens) appear to require old bare wood, particularly in old-growth forests.
• They can be found growing on podetia (stalks) or twigs.
• Mentioned locations include British Columbia, Canada and the Pacific Northwest of the USA.

Quirky Facts

• The fruiting bodies of pin lichens are called a mazaedium, resembling the head of a dressmaker's pin.
• One species, Calicium adspersum, has a yellowish pruina (a powdery deposit) over the mazaedium, giving the head of the ascomata a distinct appearance.

Resources and Further Information

• British Lichens (homemenupic, aboutmenupic, linksmenupic, speciesmenupic)