The phenology of Sarcosagium campestre observed over three years

Extract

A small number of lichens produce ephemeral fruit bodies that last for less than a year, they belong to genera such as Absconditella, Epigloea, Sarcosagium, Steinia, Thelocarpon and Vezdaea. Many are found in transient, terricolous, often man-made habitats and niches where competition is low. Poelt and Vežda (1990) have reviewed the sparse literature on ephemeral lichens. Since then, a two year study of Thelocarpon laureri in the Sheffield area (Gilbert 2001), has shown this species behaving as a spring ephemerophyte, the number of fruits peaking in April and May. Colonies persisted for 18 months (two fruiting periods). This short paper extends such observations to Sarcosagium campestre.