Description: This ‘pinhead lichen’ has no visible thallus; it boasts non-pruinose discs and large spores (11.5–15µm long) with a minutely warted surface. C. abietinum should be searched for on old oaks, old tree stumps and wood. The stalks are not entirely black; they tend to include a green or brown pigmentation. In Ireland, it is known from Counties Cork, Tyrone and Wicklow.

Key Identification Features:

• Thallus inapparent, stalk with green or brown colouration; discs non-pruinose with large finely warted spores
• Old tree stumps, dead wood, standing oaks.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

Distribution Map from NBN: Calicium abietinum at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Calicium abietinum at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.