Enchylium conglomeratum
Species of fungus / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Enchylium conglomeratum, commonly known as dotted jelly lichen, is a species of foliose lichen in the family Collemataceae. Formerly known as Collema conglomeratum, it was renamed in 2013.[note 1] This lichen has a fragmented distribution across the Holarctic region, occurring in both North America and Europe.
Enchylium conglomeratum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
Order: | Peltigerales |
Family: | Collemataceae |
Genus: | Enchylium |
Species: | E. conglomeratum |
Binomial name | |
Enchylium conglomeratum (Hoffm.) Otálora, P.M. Jørg. & Wedin (2013) | |
Synonyms[2][3] | |
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Enchylium conglomeratum thrives in relatively acidic conditions and moderate light levels, typically growing on the bark of hardwood trees such as oak and walnut, as well as occasionally on calcareous rocks. Its thallus structure is characterized by diminutive, cushion-like formations with flattened lobes, lacking a proper cortex.
Reproductively, Enchylium conglomeratum exhibits lecanorine apothecia and immersed, globose pycnidia, indicative of both sexual and asexual reproductive strategies. Despite its broad but disjunct distribution, the species faces varying conservation assessments. While globally assessed by NatureServe as G5 (secure) with some uncertainty, regional evaluations differ, with designations ranging from Extinct (Ex) by the British Lichen Society to Regionally Extinct (RE) in Switzerland. Taxonomically, Enchylium conglomeratum underwent a revision in 2013, leading to its transfer from the genus Collema to Enchylium. Synonyms include Collema pycnocarpum and Synechoblastus conglomeratus.