Holly Speckle - Trochila ilicina
Description
This fungus forms a distinct, fine (<1mm diameter) dark speckling on dead holly leaves. It occurs on the upper side of the leaf only. The speckles (spore-producing structures) are first closed, and then open by a lid to expose the olive spore-mass, and finally appear as dry black, shiny depressions in the leaf, with a slightly raised lip.
Identification difficulty
Identification aids
| Holly Speckle Trochila ilicina |
Phacidium lauri | Phomopsis crustosa | Microthyrium ciliatum |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
There are some nice comparison images of species 1, 2 and 4 here. |
| Small (<1mm) speckles on the upper side of the leaf only. | Pustules (c.1.5mm) on upper and lower surfaces of the leaf. | Immersed black conidiomata (0.5mm) on brown spots surrounded by a narrow black line. | Tiny black speckles (<0.5mm) on both sides of the leaf. |
Habitat
Only grows on dead (brown) leaves of holly
When to see it
All year. The open lids are best seen December to February.
UK Status
Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.
VC55 Status
Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.
David NichollsAltar Stones28 November 2013upper surface
David NichollsMartinshaw Wood12 December 2013
Graham CalowSapcote garden118 October 2014
Graham CalowSapcote garden129 November 2013underside - has no speckles
AJ CannKnighton22 February 20175X magnification
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
Enter a town or village to see local records
MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015
UK Map
Graham CalowSapcote garden129 November 2013upper surface
