Coniocarpon cinnabarinum
Local name: cinnoberfläck
Cinnoberfläck (Coniocarpon cinnabarinum) is a distinctive crustose lichen characterized by its striking cinnabar-red to orange-red fruiting bodies (apothecia) that contrast sharply against its pale gray to whitish thallus. This slow-growing epiphytic species plays a crucial role in forest ecosystems by contributing to nutrient cycling and providing microhabitat for invertebrates, while serving as an indicator of air quality and old-growth forest conditions.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Rémy Poncet, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Rémy Poncet
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Arthoniomycetes
Order
Arthoniales
Family
Arthoniaceae
Genus
Coniocarpon
Coniocarpon cinnabarinum belongs to the family Arthoniaceae, order Arthoniales, within the Arthoniomycetes class.
Species Profile
Cinnoberfläck (Coniocarpon cinnabarinum) is a distinctive crustose lichen characterized by its striking cinnabar-red to orange-red fruiting bodies (apothecia) that contrast sharply against its pale gray to whitish thallus. This slow-growing epiphytic species plays a crucial role in forest ecosystems by contributing to nutrient cycling and providing microhabitat for invertebrates, while serving as an indicator of air quality and old-growth forest conditions.
Coniocarpon cinnabarinum, a crustose lichen species, faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from deforestation and air pollution. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in air quality and forest fragmentation, as lichens are highly sensitive bioindicators that require specific environmental conditions to survive.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Cinnoberfläck grows exclusively on the bark of mature deciduous trees, particularly favoring the smooth bark of old beech, maple, and ash trees in humid, well-ventilated forest environments. It thrives in undisturbed montane and submontane forests with consistent moisture levels and minimal air pollution, typically found at elevations between 300-1200 meters.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Coniocarpon cinnabarinum, a crustose lichen species, faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from deforestation and air pollution. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in air quality and forest fragmentation, as lichens are highly sensitive bioindicators that require specific environmental conditions to survive.
Air pollution and acid rain
Habitat loss and deforestation
Climate change affecting microhabitat conditions
Forest 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). Coniocarpon cinnabarinum (Coniocarpon cinnabarinum). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/cinnoberflack