Marchandiomyces aurantiacus (Lasch) Diederich & Etayo

Basidiomycota parasite of Phycia

    Anamorph (asexual reproductive form) visible as minute globose sclerotia with an opening on the top, bright orange, surrounded by a pale orange necrotized section. Sclerotia are markedly minute and scattered over the necrotized zone with sometimes a granular aspect, bright orange on a pale orange background, especially when numerous. Under the microscope the medulla (of sclerotia) is characterized by large rounded granular cells, arranged like in a puzzle. Rare, parasite of Physcia, notably Physcia leptalea. See Marchandiomyces corallinus which is rather similar but hot pink and more common.*