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Catillaria Lichen

Catillaria is a genus of crustose lichens belonging to the family Catillariaceae.

Common Names

• Catillaria Lichen

Scientific Names and Synonyms

• Scientific Name: Catillaria A. Massal.
• Synonyms:
  • Scutula stereocaulorum (for Catillaria stereocaulorum)
  • Catillaria subnitida Hellbom (for Catillaria tristis)
  • Bacidia declinis (Tuck.) Zahlbr. (for Catillaria nigroclavata)
  • Bilimbia declinis (Tuck.) Fink (for Catillaria nigroclavata)
  • Lecidea declinis Tuck. (for Catillaria nigroclavata)

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Kingdom: Fungi (implied)
• Genus: Catillaria A. Massal.
• Family: Catillariaceae

Distribution and Habitat

• The genus is found in various locations, including the Greater Sonoran Desert, Dorset (Britain), India, Britain and Ireland, Cape Verde, The Netherlands, Turkey, the Aegean, Chile and Antarctica.
• Some species are corticolous (growing on trees) and epiphytic (growing on other plants).
• Specific habitats include marine and maritime rocks, woodlands and leaves of Nestegis apetala.

Morphological Characteristics

• Catillaria chalybeia has a crustose thallus, typically 2-5 cm in diameter.
• Some species appear as tiny black dots (apothecia) on a dark grey or dark olivaceous background. The apothecia can be very small, around 0.15mm.
• Catillaria glauconigricans is described as a crust lichen that is powdery white with black dots.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Some species of Catillaria and Strigula have been found growing on the leaves of Nestegis apetala.
• Catillaria nigroclavata is sometimes found growing alongside a Lecanora species.
• Mentioned as growing on trees

Further Information

• Greater Sonoran Desert Lichen Flora
• Lichen Flora of Great Britain and Ireland
• British Lichen Society - BLS Lichen Database
• Catalogue of Life: 2012 Annual Checklist