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Black Moss Spots, Bilimbia
sabuletorum
Ramalinaceae or Ramalina Family
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A very small lichen, a few millimeters
across. Forms a thin grayish crust over moss. Sprinkled
over the crust are black button-shaped structures called apothecia
which produce reproductive spores. While lichens that grow on
tree bark are believed to neither harm nor benefit the tree, this
lichen is decidedly bad for the moss. The lichen growing over the
moss cuts off the sunlight and the moss dies. The orange brown
structures seen in the pictures are dead moss branches.
Fortunately the moss grows faster than the lichen.
Has been found on the upper east slope, below the water tanks and cell
towers, where a number of loose rocks, covered with moss are
found. You are unlikely to notice it, unless you look carefully
at the moss. The black apothecia are barely visible without a
hand lens.
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