SafePlants

Mycoporum Lichen

The genus Mycoporum encompasses a group of lichens belonging to the family Mycoporaceae. The common name often used is simply "Mycoporum Lichen." This page compiles information about various Mycoporum species.

Considerations for Pets

• Mycoporum lacteum is epiphytic, growing on tree bark (specifically, Pistacia lentiscus in the provided text). If you have this species of tree or similar trees in your garden, be aware that this lichen could be present.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Mycoporum
• Common Name: Mycoporum Lichen
• Family: Mycoporaceae
• Rank: Genus
• Informal Taxonomy: Fungi/Lichens - Lichens. Fungi, Ascomycota, Ascomycetes, Dothideales, Mycoporaceae, Mycoporum
• Synonyms:
  • Mycoporum compositum (A. Massal.) R.C. Harris
  • Mycoporellum sparsellum auct. brit. p.max.p.
  • Tomasellia lactea
  • Mycoporum Flotow ex Nylander, 1855 TAXREF as Mycoporum Flot. ex Nyl.
• Species:
  • Mycoporum antecellens (Nyl.) R.C. Harris
  • Mycoporum biseptatum (Degel.) R.C. Harris & Lendemer
  • Mycoporum californicum (Zahlbr.)
  • Mycoporum compositum
  • Mycoporum eschweileri (Mull. Arg.) R. C. Harris
  • Mycoporum lacteum (Ach.) R.C. Harris (1995) / (Ach. ex Fe) R.C. Harris
  • Mycoporum pycnocarpoides Mll. Arg.
  • Mycoporum sparsellum Nyl.

Distribution and Habitat

• Mycoporum species are found in various regions, including:
  • Britain and Ireland
  • Dorset
  • Taiwan
  • United Kingdom
  • USA and Canada (Distributional map for Mycoporum pycnocarpoides)
  • Brazil (Parana)
  • Sri Lanka
  • Azores
  • Bermuda
  • Costa Rica
  • Greater Sonoran Desert Region
  • Florida
• Specific habitats mentioned include tree bark (Mycoporum sparsellum on tree bark in Brazil, Mycoporum lacteum on Pistacia lentiscus).

Morphological Characteristics

• Mycoporum lacteum is described as crustose epiphytic.
• In Mycoporum, the perithecia are frequently joined or compound, but each perithecium has its own opening.

Ecological Role

• Mycoporum antecellens is used in National Lichen Indices for woodland quality and continuity, specifically as an Index of Ecological Continuity for woodland epiphytic lichen.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Mycoporum lacteum grows on Pistacia lentiscus.
• Some Mycoporum species can be hosts to lichenicolous coelomycetes like Laeviomyces fallaciosus.

Resources and Further Information

• EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Reference to exploring what EOL knows about Mycoporum pycnocarpoides.
• Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region. Vol 1. Tempe, AZ.
• British Lichen Society - BLS Mapping Scheme dataset
• Centre for Environmental Data and Recording &middot Northern Ireland Lichen Survey
• Australian New Crops Web Site
• British and Other Pyrenocarpous Lichens
• North American Lichen Checklist, Version (#15) 27 Aug 2009
• Lichen Herbarium Berlin
• California Lichen Society