Violella fucata (Mycoblastus fucatus) with Tremella lichenicola (images of British lichens)

Thallus thin, grey, smooth to minutely warted, commonly with a distinct black margin formed by the prothallus, yellowish green to blue-grey soredia formed in patches on the surface; apothecia rare, black, discoid. Widespread, on wood and smooth bark.

Refs (as Mycoblastus fucatus except where otherwise stated): Spribille et al. (2011), Lichenologist 43: 458 (photos, with apothecia, as Violella); Smith et al. (2009), 617; Purvis et al. (1992), 391 (as both M. fucatus and M. sterilis); Dobson (2005), 275 (photo); Dobson (2011), 283 (photo); Wirth (1995), 2: 600; van Herk & Aptroot (2004), 256-257 (photo).

Convincing molecular evidence (Spribille et al. (2011), Lichenologist 43: 455-466) shows that this species is wrongly placed in the genus Mycoblastus. It has been transferred to the new genus Violella.

Small, irregular, mostly convex, black, gelatinous lumps on the surface (as shown here) are the host-specific, parasitic fungus, Tremella lichenicola.

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Images of British Lichens