Microthyrium ciliatum
Microthyrium ciliatum
Description
The fruit bodies of the fungus Microthyrium ciliatum are dark brown to blackish, circular, one cell thick, with central ostioles for spore release. Under the microscope they appear as a series of radiating cells, evenly coloured. They rest on the surface of their host with hyphae holding them in place.
Identification difficulty
Identification aids
| Holly Speckle Trochila ilicina |
Phacidium lauri | Phomopsis crustosa | Microthyrium ciliatum |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
There are some nice comparison images of species 1, 2 and 4 here. |
| Small (<1mm) speckles on the upper side of the leaf only. | Pustules (c.1.5mm) on upper and lower surfaces of the leaf. | Immersed black conidiomata (0.5mm) on brown spots surrounded by a narrow black line. | Tiny black speckles (<0.5mm) on both sides of the leaf. |
Habitat
Found growing individually and gregariously on both surfaces of dead holly leaves.
When to see it
Whenever dead Holly leaves can be found.
David Nicholls
Ratby garden
03 February 2022
cf Phacidium lauri on left
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UK Map
Additional images
No additional images available for this species.