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Melaspilea Lichen

The name "Melaspilea Lichen" commonly refers to various species within the genus Melaspilea. These organisms are not plants, but rather a form of lichen, a symbiotic partnership between a fungus and an alga or cyanobacterium.

Considerations for Pets and Children

• Melaspilea is a lichen. Lichens can produce a variety of secondary metabolites, some of which may be irritating or allergenic to sensitive individuals.
• Some species of Melaspilea are lichenicolous, meaning they grow on other lichens and may be embedded within the host lichen's thallus.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Melaspilea Nyl.
• Common Name: Melaspilea Lichen
• Family: Melaspileaceae
• Kingdom: Fungi (lichens are classified within the fungal kingdom due to the fungal component of the symbiosis)
• Taxonomic Rank: Genus
• Synonyms:
  • Hazlinszkya Krb.
  • Melanographa Mll. Arg.
  • Melaspileella (P. Karst.) Vain.
  • Melaspileomyces Cif.

Distribution and Habitat

• Melaspilea species are found in various locations worldwide. Some species, like Melaspilea demissa, have been collected in the southeastern USA.
• Distribution maps exist for specific species like Melaspilea arthonioides and Melaspilea lentiginosa, including UK distributions.
• They can be found on veteran trees and Atlantic hazelwood.
• They are known to be present in Armenia and Turkey.

Ecological Role

• Some Melaspilea species are lichenicolous, acting as parasites on other lichens. An example is Melaspilea lentiginosa.
• Lichens, including Melaspilea, play important roles in various ecosystems and are essential to fungi, lichens, mosses, beetles, birds, and bats that solely rely on veteran trees.

Morphological Characteristics

• Melaspilea species are crustose lichens, meaning they form a crust-like growth on their substrate.
• The thallus of some species is immersed within the host lichen.
• Apothecia (fruiting bodies) can be numerous and scattered over the thallus.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• As lichenicolous fungi, some Melaspilea species parasitize other lichens.
• They can be associated with other lichen species in their habitat, such as Pyrenula nitida and Thelopsis rubella.

Quirky Facts

• Some Melaspilea species have tiny, contorted scribbles.
• Melaspilea circumserpens was previously only known from a single type specimen.

Further Information

• Catalogue of Life
• NBN (data.nbn.org.uk)
• British Lichen Society
• ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System)