Trypethelium eluteriae

Spore Ascus

Thin Section

Thallus

Lichen Index

A thin slice of the perethecia reveals carbonized walls with asci and spores escaping through the ostiole. Normally asci remain in the cavity and split open to release spores in place. However, in this case they have been squeezed out of the cavity during the slicing process.
 

The yellow pigments within the pseudostroma react with a dilute solution of potassium hydroxide (dilute household lye will do the same) to produce a reddish-purple color. Lichens as a whole contain hundreds of different chemicals that react with reagents to produce visual diagnostic traits useful in identification.