Basidiomycota       Order: Tremellales Zyzygomyces physciacearum (Syzygospora physciacearum) Lichenicolous fungus. Photos: On Physcia tenella. Co. Cork, SW Ireland. A basidiomycete forming gelatinous or waxy pale pink, pale brown, greyish or nearly black galls (often with a constricted base) on the host. The basidia are (2-)3-4 spored and the basidiospores 7.5-11 x 3.5-6.5 µm. First described in 1996. Widespread on thallii and apothecia of Physcia species, particularly Physcia tenella and P. adscendens. Similar: Zyzygomyces aipoliae is found on Physcia aipolia and Zyzygomyces physconiae on Physconia

Syzygospora physciacearum on Physcia tenella. February 2011