Tephromela lignicola

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Tephromela lignicola is a wood-loving, crusty lichen in the Tephromelataceae family. It lives on fenceposts and other worked wood in the Falkland Islands. It was described as a new species in 2019 by Alan Orange and Alan Fryday, and the name lignicola refers to its wood habitat. The type specimen came from Weddell Island on a fencepost.

This lichen grows with its body completely embedded in the wood (endoxylic). Tiny, powdery soralia rise on the surface and follow the wood grain, gradually forming a crust. The powdery propagules (soredia) are pale green to blue-grey and about 20–25 micrometers wide, clumping up to 75–100 micrometers across. Tephromela lignicola does not produce sexual fruiting bodies (it is sterile).

Its photosynthetic partner is trebouxioid algae (spherical, single-celled green algae). Chemical tests show it contains atranorin and alectoronic acid.

Tephromela lignicola is endemic to the Falkland Islands and is locally common on East Falkland, West Falkland, and Weddell Island. It grows on fenceposts and cut lumber. A lichen-eating fungus named Skyttea violacea has been observed parasitizing this lichen.