Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology
@aspenecology.com
Lichen surveying, consultancy, training and education. County Lichen Recorder for Suffolk. Posts mainly about lichens, and occasionally other life-forms, especially if they're overlooked. Rocks now and then, too. Founder @anthonyspeca.bsky.social.
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Announcing another chance to learn #lichens online! My next 'Lichens for Beginners' course starts in January. Perfect for anyone just discovering these unique and beautiful life-forms. All you need to know to understand lichens and identify common species. Join me! aspenecology.com/lichens-for-...
1/2 This is Lecanactis abietina on oak trunk, Old Wood LWS, Shropshire. Widespread and fairly common #lichen in Britain, but this one's first for hectad. Found on mature trees with dry, acid bark. Easy to confuse with similar Opegrapha vermicellifera and (much rarer) Inoderma subabietinum. But also…
January 2, 2026 at 5:44 PM
1/2 This is Lecanactis abietina on oak trunk, Old Wood LWS, Shropshire. Widespread and fairly common #lichen in Britain, but this one's first for hectad. Found on mature trees with dry, acid bark. Easy to confuse with similar Opegrapha vermicellifera and (much rarer) Inoderma subabietinum. But also…
1/2 Found on Huttoft Beach, Lincolnshire, in late October. Though they're sessile and seem like plants, #sponges are in fact animals. Perhaps most ancient animals still living, having emerged ~800 million years ago! They're essentially one-way siphons that feed by passing seawater through their…
January 2, 2026 at 5:09 PM
1/2 Found on Huttoft Beach, Lincolnshire, in late October. Though they're sessile and seem like plants, #sponges are in fact animals. Perhaps most ancient animals still living, having emerged ~800 million years ago! They're essentially one-way siphons that feed by passing seawater through their…
Passing time on NYE mapping Suffolk churchyards with known or potential #lichen interest. Over 450 churchyards have records, thanks mainly to decades of work by Chris Hitch, my predecessor as County Lichen Recorder. Hope to have even fraction of his success with ~130 churchyards yet to be surveyed!
December 31, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Passing time on NYE mapping Suffolk churchyards with known or potential #lichen interest. Over 450 churchyards have records, thanks mainly to decades of work by Chris Hitch, my predecessor as County Lichen Recorder. Hope to have even fraction of his success with ~130 churchyards yet to be surveyed!
One for New Year's Eve: more #fungi from autumn holiday in Lincolnshire, showing off brilliant fluorescence under UV light! Left: type of bonnet mushroom (Mycena). Right: possibly sulphur tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare). Observed in late October, after dark in @lincswildlife.bsky.social Legbourne Wood.
December 31, 2025 at 6:24 PM
One for New Year's Eve: more #fungi from autumn holiday in Lincolnshire, showing off brilliant fluorescence under UV light! Left: type of bonnet mushroom (Mycena). Right: possibly sulphur tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare). Observed in late October, after dark in @lincswildlife.bsky.social Legbourne Wood.
More #fungi from Lincolnshire wolds in October. Top: jelly ears (Auricularia auricula-judae). Bottom: probably common earthball (Scleroderma citrinum). Final image serves as good reminder that what we see is only fruiting body from extensive mycelial network that is the 'everyday' fungus itself.
December 30, 2025 at 8:16 PM
More #fungi from Lincolnshire wolds in October. Top: jelly ears (Auricularia auricula-judae). Bottom: probably common earthball (Scleroderma citrinum). Final image serves as good reminder that what we see is only fruiting body from extensive mycelial network that is the 'everyday' fungus itself.
Colourful, glistening parrot waxcap (Gliophorus psittacinus). Observed in late October in fields on highest part of Lincolnshire wolds. Kicked over perhaps by livestock or another walker. Glad to see it in agricultural area: it's indicator of healthier grassland that hasn't yet been over-fertilised.
December 24, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Colourful, glistening parrot waxcap (Gliophorus psittacinus). Observed in late October in fields on highest part of Lincolnshire wolds. Kicked over perhaps by livestock or another walker. Glad to see it in agricultural area: it's indicator of healthier grassland that hasn't yet been over-fertilised.
Returning to Nostoc #cyanobacterial partner in Enchylium tenax 'jelly #lichen' below. Here it is as a free-living organism. Sometimes called 'troll's butter'! Essentially huge colony of bead-like chains of photosynthesising bacteria glommed together in water-absorbing gel. Walesby, Lincolnshire.
December 20, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Returning to Nostoc #cyanobacterial partner in Enchylium tenax 'jelly #lichen' below. Here it is as a free-living organism. Sometimes called 'troll's butter'! Essentially huge colony of bead-like chains of photosynthesising bacteria glommed together in water-absorbing gel. Walesby, Lincolnshire.
Cladonia fimbriata is very common #lichen in Britain, but how splendid to see in such profusion! Distinguished from other similar pixie-cups by 'golf-tee' shape, and by surface of uniformly farinose i.e. 'powdery' soredia. On moss on calcareous drystone wall, Normanby-le-Wold, Lincolnshire, England.
December 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Cladonia fimbriata is very common #lichen in Britain, but how splendid to see in such profusion! Distinguished from other similar pixie-cups by 'golf-tee' shape, and by surface of uniformly farinose i.e. 'powdery' soredia. On moss on calcareous drystone wall, Normanby-le-Wold, Lincolnshire, England.
This is oak marble #gall. Sort of 'tumor' of oak buds caused by #wasp Andricus kollari, whose larvae develop within. Hugely important both economically and culturally: source of iron gall ink, standard handwriting ink in Europe from Roman times until century ago! Near Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England.
December 16, 2025 at 4:32 PM
This is oak marble #gall. Sort of 'tumor' of oak buds caused by #wasp Andricus kollari, whose larvae develop within. Hugely important both economically and culturally: source of iron gall ink, standard handwriting ink in Europe from Roman times until century ago! Near Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England.
Enchylium tenax var ceranoides on roadside verge, Claxby, Lincolnshire. Only two dozen E tenax records in this county, but it's surely more common than that. A 'jelly #lichen' involving #cyanobacteria, not green #alga. Swells with water when wet, as cyanobacteria photosynthesise better if saturated.
December 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Enchylium tenax var ceranoides on roadside verge, Claxby, Lincolnshire. Only two dozen E tenax records in this county, but it's surely more common than that. A 'jelly #lichen' involving #cyanobacteria, not green #alga. Swells with water when wet, as cyanobacteria photosynthesise better if saturated.
One of the November #moth group species (Epirrita dilutata sens lat) requiring genital dissection to ID reliably. This one kept its bits! Observed in late October, not November as the name suggests, but there's always someone who arrives early for the party. North Reston, Lincolnshire, England.
December 15, 2025 at 4:24 PM
One of the November #moth group species (Epirrita dilutata sens lat) requiring genital dissection to ID reliably. This one kept its bits! Observed in late October, not November as the name suggests, but there's always someone who arrives early for the party. North Reston, Lincolnshire, England.
Next #lichen factsheet and gallery now posted: Ochrolechia parella. Common and widespread in Britain on siliceous or mildly basic rocks, building stone, brick, etc. Somewhat variable in form, but somehow also unmistakeable with its heavily white-pruinose apothecia. aspenecology.com/ochrolechia-...
December 15, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Next #lichen factsheet and gallery now posted: Ochrolechia parella. Common and widespread in Britain on siliceous or mildly basic rocks, building stone, brick, etc. Somewhat variable in form, but somehow also unmistakeable with its heavily white-pruinose apothecia. aspenecology.com/ochrolechia-...
One of 'crystal jelly' species in genus Aequorea. Common in British waters: this one washed up at Huttoft Beach, Lincolnshire. Not true #jellyfish but #hydromedusa: predatory, free-floating, sexual stage of sessile, colonial animal known as #hydroid. A glimpse of incredible variety of marine life!
December 14, 2025 at 1:55 PM
One of 'crystal jelly' species in genus Aequorea. Common in British waters: this one washed up at Huttoft Beach, Lincolnshire. Not true #jellyfish but #hydromedusa: predatory, free-floating, sexual stage of sessile, colonial animal known as #hydroid. A glimpse of incredible variety of marine life!
Circinaria hoffmanniana on mortar on Lincoln Castle battlements. First for hectad, but this #lichen is under-recorded because it was previously considered morph of C contorta. C hoffmanniana is also likely hidden in past records of C calcarea on concrete, as latter tends to prefer hard limestone.
December 14, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Circinaria hoffmanniana on mortar on Lincoln Castle battlements. First for hectad, but this #lichen is under-recorded because it was previously considered morph of C contorta. C hoffmanniana is also likely hidden in past records of C calcarea on concrete, as latter tends to prefer hard limestone.
On left is Paroligolophus agrestis: very common British #harvestman. On right (I wager) is dark form of same species, judging from smooth, pale ocularium and abruptly widening then narrowing saddle. But I'm no arachnologist: happy to be corrected! Worlingham, Suffolk, and North Reston, Lincolnshire.
December 13, 2025 at 6:08 PM
On left is Paroligolophus agrestis: very common British #harvestman. On right (I wager) is dark form of same species, judging from smooth, pale ocularium and abruptly widening then narrowing saddle. But I'm no arachnologist: happy to be corrected! Worlingham, Suffolk, and North Reston, Lincolnshire.
1/2 Pleased to have re-found Cladonia coccifera sens str at Westleton Common, Suffolk, this past summer, along with @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social members. Last recorded there in 1989. It's high-quality heath, but C coccifera sens str. is more upland in habit, and only occasional in lowlands. Easily…
December 9, 2025 at 1:20 PM
1/2 Pleased to have re-found Cladonia coccifera sens str at Westleton Common, Suffolk, this past summer, along with @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social members. Last recorded there in 1989. It's high-quality heath, but C coccifera sens str. is more upland in habit, and only occasional in lowlands. Easily…
Don't forget humble #earthworm. Where do fallen leaves go? Dragged underground as worm-food! Many species exist, living at different soil depths. I think this splendid fellow is common 'lob worm' (Lumbricis terrestris): longest and deepest-burrowing in UK. Disturbed by garden work, Bungay, Suffolk.
December 8, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Don't forget humble #earthworm. Where do fallen leaves go? Dragged underground as worm-food! Many species exist, living at different soil depths. I think this splendid fellow is common 'lob worm' (Lumbricis terrestris): longest and deepest-burrowing in UK. Disturbed by garden work, Bungay, Suffolk.
This annual highlight is highly recommended for anyone keen on #lichens! I'd love to say that I'll see you there, but sadly I have a work clash this year.
Booking is now open for the British #Lichen Society AGM weekend in Carlisle 30th Jan - 1st Feb 2026. britishlichensociety.org.uk/the-society/... Even if you're not a member, why not come along to meet us, to hear talks about lichens, and to take part in our Sunday field trip at Carlisle Cemetery.
December 7, 2025 at 4:45 PM
This annual highlight is highly recommended for anyone keen on #lichens! I'd love to say that I'll see you there, but sadly I have a work clash this year.
#Lichens can colonise even painted metal street-signs, especially in heavily fertilised farming areas. Xanthoria parietina is typical such colonist, as here. Originally mainly coastal lichen, with preference for rocks fertilised by bird droppings, it grows on anything similar! Mersea Island, Essex.
December 6, 2025 at 5:41 PM
#Lichens can colonise even painted metal street-signs, especially in heavily fertilised farming areas. Xanthoria parietina is typical such colonist, as here. Originally mainly coastal lichen, with preference for rocks fertilised by bird droppings, it grows on anything similar! Mersea Island, Essex.
Visitor to my ceiling corner this past autumn: missing-sector orb-weaver (Zygiella x-notata). My, what long front legs you have! All the better to feel your struggles in my web, my dear. Widespread in England: one was lurking in your room or window corner this autumn, too. Bungay, Suffolk, England.
December 6, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Visitor to my ceiling corner this past autumn: missing-sector orb-weaver (Zygiella x-notata). My, what long front legs you have! All the better to feel your struggles in my web, my dear. Widespread in England: one was lurking in your room or window corner this autumn, too. Bungay, Suffolk, England.
Another new factsheet and gallery: Ramalina siliquosa. One of few #lichens with English name: 'sea ivory'! Very common on British rocky shores. Can be confused with R cuspidata, but tends to have flatter ribbon-like lobes, and pale rather than dark pycnidia ostioles. aspenecology.com/ramalina-sil...
December 5, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Another new factsheet and gallery: Ramalina siliquosa. One of few #lichens with English name: 'sea ivory'! Very common on British rocky shores. Can be confused with R cuspidata, but tends to have flatter ribbon-like lobes, and pale rather than dark pycnidia ostioles. aspenecology.com/ramalina-sil...
Yet more end-of-summer #galls. These are 'robin's pincushions': galls on rose induced by cynipid #wasp Dipolepsis rosae. Tangly, spiky ball serves as edible home for wasp's larvae, which develop in separate chambers within, safe from predators and never lacking food. Ingenious! Mersea Island, Essex.
November 30, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Yet more end-of-summer #galls. These are 'robin's pincushions': galls on rose induced by cynipid #wasp Dipolepsis rosae. Tangly, spiky ball serves as edible home for wasp's larvae, which develop in separate chambers within, safe from predators and never lacking food. Ingenious! Mersea Island, Essex.
For #lichens, lignum is different world from bark. Unless nutrient-enriched, e.g. by airborne fertiliser dust, it hosts much more acid-loving species. Some are specialists seldom found elsewhere. Massive decorticated tree carcasses in old estate parks are significant lichen habitats in Britain.
November 29, 2025 at 5:43 PM
For #lichens, lignum is different world from bark. Unless nutrient-enriched, e.g. by airborne fertiliser dust, it hosts much more acid-loving species. Some are specialists seldom found elsewhere. Massive decorticated tree carcasses in old estate parks are significant lichen habitats in Britain.
New #lichen factsheet and galleries! Hypotrachyna laevigata. Distinctly oceanic, preferring damp woods in British west. Characteristic 'torn' or 'shredded' look from long, branching, angular lobes. Can be confused with H endochlora, but medulla is white, not yellow. aspenecology.com/hypotrachyna...
November 28, 2025 at 6:27 PM
New #lichen factsheet and galleries! Hypotrachyna laevigata. Distinctly oceanic, preferring damp woods in British west. Characteristic 'torn' or 'shredded' look from long, branching, angular lobes. Can be confused with H endochlora, but medulla is white, not yellow. aspenecology.com/hypotrachyna...
Absolutely delighted to have introduced nearly 80 people to fascinating world of #lichens earlier this month, with @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social's 'Wildlife Live' webinars. Real-time poll revealed 90% had little or no previous exposure, so they were taking their first lichen steps with me. Brilliant!
November 24, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Absolutely delighted to have introduced nearly 80 people to fascinating world of #lichens earlier this month, with @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social's 'Wildlife Live' webinars. Real-time poll revealed 90% had little or no previous exposure, so they were taking their first lichen steps with me. Brilliant!