Illosporiopsis christiansenii (images of British lichenicolous fungi)

Ascomycota, Hypocreales: sporodichia forming soft, bright pink piles of coiled (helicoid) conidia on the host thallus. Widespread and frequent, recorded on a number of different lichen hosts, especially Physcia species and Xanthoria parietina.

Refs: useful taxonomic discussion in Sikoodi, M., et al (2001), Mycological Research 105 (4): 453-460 (includes publication of the generic name and combination). There are excellent depictions of this species at http://forum.pilze-bayern.de/index.php?topic=499.0)

Note that the superficially similar basidiomycete, Marchandiomyces corallinus, also occurs on Physcia and other lichens. It forms much more solid, bright pink coralloid sclerotia on dead and dying areas of the host thallus.

lastdragon.org

Alan Silverside's Lichen Pages: Lichenicolous Fungi