Agonimia
Crust-like lichens containing a green alga in small squamules or granules that are mostly randomly scattered among other lichens and bryophytes; thallus granular or squamulose, rarely immersed, often coralloid, usually papillate, whitish or pale greenish; perithecia black, spherical to barrel-shaped; asci thin-walled, IKI-; spores colourless or pale brownish, elliptical, muriform.
References: Purvis et al. 1992; Breuss 2002.
Agonimia sp.
Thallus surficial, conspicuous, pale bluish green, formed of clusters of matte, corticate granules and small squamules, about 100-500 µ wide, the cortex often with numerous, evenly spaced papillae; perithecia and pycnidia unknown.
Reactions: All spot tests negative.
Contents: No lichen substances known.
Habitat: on rough bark of branches and trunks, especially well-lit sites in humid forest and waterfall sprayzones, more common as a terricole. Lower to middle elevations.
Similar Species: Bacidia rubella also produces large, corticate granules and produces similar papillae on the cortex. It differs in being olive-green or greyish brown rather than pale bluish green, and in appearing rather “waxy”. It frequently produces apothecia.
Specimens: Goward 02-2134.
Notes: The material may possibly be referable to Agonimia octospora Coppins & P. James, but no definite determination can be made in the absence of perithecia.
Local Status: Occasional.