Rhaphidicyrtis

Rhaphidicyrtis is a fungal genus of uncertain familial placement in the order Pyrenulales. It consists of the single species, Rhaphidicyrtis trichosporella, a bark-dwelling, crustose lichen that forms thin, pale patches on tree bark in humid deciduous woodlands. This small, inconspicuous lichen is characterised by tiny black reproductive structures scattered across its surface and distinctive microscopic features that set it apart from similar species. Originally described from Finnish collections in 1874, R. trichosporella has since been found in several European countries, including Sweden, Denmark, and the British Isles. The genus has been subject to taxonomic debate regarding its classification as a lichen, with recent observations confirming its symbiotic relationship with algae. Despite its widespread distribution, R. trichosporella is often rare within suitable habitats, suggesting specific environmental requirements that are not yet fully understood....read more on Wikipedia.