brunskaftad blekspik
Sclerophora farinacea
Sclerophora farinacea is a small stalked lichen characterized by its distinctive pale, powdery appearance and brownish-black stalks that give it its Swedish name 'brunskaftad blekspik' (brown-stalked pale pin). This cryptogamic species plays an important ecological role in nutrient cycling and provides microhabitat for invertebrates in forest ecosystems.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Samuel Brinker, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Samuel Brinker
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Coniocybomycetes
Order
Coniocybales
Family
Coniocybaceae
Genus
Sclerophora
brunskaftad blekspik belongs to the family Coniocybaceae, order Coniocybales, within the Coniocybomycetes class.
Species Profile
Sclerophora farinacea is a small stalked lichen characterized by its distinctive pale, powdery appearance and brownish-black stalks that give it its Swedish name 'brunskaftad blekspik' (brown-stalked pale pin). This cryptogamic species plays an important ecological role in nutrient cycling and provides microhabitat for invertebrates in forest ecosystems.
Brunskaftad blekspik faces significant threats from habitat degradation and loss of suitable substrate trees due to forestry practices and urban development. Air pollution and acid rain have reduced the availability of appropriate bark surfaces with the specific chemical conditions this lichen requires for growth and reproduction.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This crustose lichen grows on the bark of deciduous trees, particularly favoring smooth-barked species like beech, maple, and ash in mature forests and parklands. It requires trees with specific bark chemistry and is typically found in areas with moderate humidity and limited air pollution.
Threats
Air pollution and acid rain
Habitat loss from forestry operations
Loss of old-growth trees
Climate change affecting substrate conditions
Urban development and fragmentation
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). brunskaftad blekspik (Sclerophora farinacea). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/brunskaftad-blekspik