Calicium hyperelloides

Some lichens have their fruiting bodies at the end of stalks. In the genus Calicium the apothecia are contained in a peridial covering until the asci have dissolved. When the covering splits open, the dried spore mass, called a mazaedium, is soon available for long distance wind dispersal.

In this photo the upper part of the apothecial covering has broken away and the remaining part forms a cup-like container (capitula) which is filled by a dry spore mass at maturity. Spores of the capitula to the left are less mature than those of the capitula on the right. Both still contain their original spore mass.