Calicium trachylioides
Local name: grå ladlav
Calicium trachylioides, known as grå ladlav (gray pin lichen), is a small crustose lichen species characterized by its grayish thallus and distinctive pin-like fruiting bodies (mazaedia) that release powdery spores. This specialized lichen plays an important ecological role in nutrient cycling and serves as a microhabitat for various invertebrates in old-growth forest ecosystems.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Lecanoromycetes
Order
Caliciales
Family
Caliciaceae
Genus
Calicium
Calicium trachylioides belongs to the family Caliciaceae, order Caliciales, within the Lecanoromycetes class.
Species Profile
Calicium trachylioides, known as grå ladlav (gray pin lichen), is a small crustose lichen species characterized by its grayish thallus and distinctive pin-like fruiting bodies (mazaedia) that release powdery spores. This specialized lichen plays an important ecological role in nutrient cycling and serves as a microhabitat for various invertebrates in old-growth forest ecosystems.
Calicium trachylioides, a rare crustose lichen species, faces severe decline primarily due to habitat loss from deforestation and air pollution. The species requires very specific substrate conditions on old-growth trees, making it extremely vulnerable to forest management practices and environmental changes.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This lichen grows exclusively on the bark of old deciduous trees, particularly favoring ancient oaks and other hardwoods in undisturbed forest stands. It requires stable microclimatic conditions with high humidity and minimal disturbance, typically found in the interior of old-growth forests with continuous canopy cover.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Calicium trachylioides, a rare crustose lichen species, faces severe decline primarily due to habitat loss from deforestation and air pollution. The species requires very specific substrate conditions on old-growth trees, making it extremely vulnerable to forest management practices and environmental changes.
Air pollution and acid rain
Habitat loss from logging and forest management
Loss of old-growth forest ecosystems
Climate change affecting host tree species
Limited dispersal ability
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). Calicium trachylioides (Calicium trachylioides). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/gra-ladlav