Description: The genus Catapyrenium is mostly comprised of soil-inhabiting lichens with tiny, plate-like scraps of plant-body called squamules. These are distributed over the soil like pieces of crushed shell. In C. lachneum the squamules grow up to 7mm across and are bronzed dark, red-brown as though toasted under a grill. The spherical discs (perithecia) are almost totally immersed, so are visible at the surface only as small dots. The edges of the squamules should be examined closely with a lens for signs of even smaller black dots (pycnidia) which often tear through the tissue. Search for it on soil and humus in upland areas. Widespread but largely absent from the east.

Key Identification Features:

• Squamules to 7mm wide, red-brown with abundant marginal pycnidia
• On compacted, semi-stable soil pockets.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Placidium lachneum at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.