Synonyms: Bottaria cruenta, Melanotheca cruenta, Melanotheca rubra, Melanotheca subincruenta, Pyrenula circumrubens, Stromatothelium cruentum, Trypethelium cruentum, Trypethelium rubrum, Trypethelium subincruentum, Verrucaria circumrubens.
Common name: bark rash lichen.
Pyrenula cruenta is a crustose lichen that grows on bark, particularly on deciduous trees such as oak and elm. In East and Central Texas, it forms reddish-brown to blackish patches with numerous perithecia, which are immersed in the thallus and have red to pinkish-red ostioles. The species is relatively common in the region, found in shaded to partially shaded areas, often on trees along streams and rivers. Its distribution in East Texas tends to be more frequent near the Louisiana border, while in Central Texas it can be found in areas with higher humidity and more abundant tree cover.
Bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) on a tree near the creek in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, January 5, 2019
Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Crimson warts of bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) on a tree near the creek in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, January 5, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Shade form of bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) on a tree near the creek in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, January 5, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) on hackberry in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 9, 2019Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Crimson warts of bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) on hackberry in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 9, 201914802 Rock Prairie Rd, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) on a tree in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, February 1, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) on tree bark in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, February 1, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Texture of bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, February 1, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 20, 201914802 Rock Prairie Rd, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) on a tree in area of Winters Bayou in Sam Houston National Forest, east from Waverly. Texas, February 23, 201915451 FM1725, Cleveland, TX 77328, USA
Bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) on a holly tree on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, February 29, 2020Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Texture of bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) on a holly tree on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, February 29, 2020Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Warts of bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) on a holly tree on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, February 29, 2020Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) on floodplain in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, March 7, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Texture of bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, March 7, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) on a fallen oak on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, October 30, 2020State Park Rd 40, New Waverly, TX 77358, USA
Texture of bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) on a fallen oak on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, October 30, 2020State Park Rd 40, New Waverly, TX 77358, USA
Bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 26, 2020Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Bark rash lichen (Pyrenula cruenta) in Huntsville State Park. Texas, December 18, 2020State Park Rd 40, New Waverly, TX 77358, USAObservations of Pyrenula cruenta in East and Central Texas reveal its presence on various tree species, including hackberry and holly. The lichen was found in multiple locations, such as Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest, Lick Creek Park, and Huntsville State Park. It thrives in shaded areas near creeks and floodplains, with sightings recorded throughout the year, from January to December. The texture of the lichen's crust and crimson warts were noted in several observations, showcasing its distinctive characteristics. Additionally, the lichen was observed on fallen trees, such as a fallen oak in Huntsville State Park, indicating its ability to colonize different substrates. Overall, Pyrenula cruenta appears to be widely distributed in East and Central Texas, with a preference for shaded, moist environments.
Mushroom Observer and Facebook for learning names of local mushrooms.
This web page was generated by a special script.