# Pyxine philippina

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Species of lichen-forming fungus

Pyxine philippina Scientific classification Kingdom: Fungi Division: Ascomycota Class: Lecanoromycetes Order: Caliciales Family: Caliciaceae Genus: Pyxine Species: P. philippina Binomial name Pyxine philippina Vain. (1913)

***Pyxine philippina*** is a species of [foliose lichen](/source/Foliose_lichen) in the family [Caliciaceae](/source/Caliciaceae).[1] It was first discovered in the Philippines, growing on tree bark in the mountainous regions of [Luzon](/source/Luzon). The lichen forms a thin to moderately thick, leaf-like body with a whitish upper surface and blackish underside, anchored by short root-like structures called [rhizines](/source/Rhizine). Since its original description, it has been widely documented across Asia, including in Bhutan, India, Japan, Nepal, and Thailand.

## Taxonomy

*Pyxine philippina* was first [described scientifically](/source/Species_description) by the Finnish lichenologist [Edvard August Vainio](/source/Edvard_August_Vainio) in 1913. The [species epithet](/source/Botanical_name) *philippina* refers to its [type locality](/source/Type_locality_(biology)) in the Philippine Islands. Vainio noted that this species is closely related to *[Pyxine denudatula](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pyxine_denudatula&action=edit&redlink=1)*, from which it can be distinguished by differences in the colour of the [epithecium](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#epithecium) (uppermost layer of the spore-producing tissue). The species also shows some similarities to *[Pyxine retirugella](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pyxine_retirugella&action=edit&redlink=1)*, but differs in having a [rugulose](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#rugulose) (wrinkled) rather than [laciniate](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#laciniate) (deeply divided) [thallus](/source/Thallus) with a granular margin.[2]

## Description

*Pyxine philippina* is a [foliose lichen](/source/Foliose_lichen), meaning it has a leaf-like [growth form](/source/Lichen_growth_forms). The thallus (the vegetative body of the lichen) is thin to moderately thick and lacks both [soredia](/source/Soredia) (powdery [propagules](/source/Propagule)) and [isidia](/source/Isidia) (coral-like outgrowths). The upper surface is whitish, fairly opaque, and [epruinosus](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#epruinosus) (without a pruinose or frosted covering), appearing smooth. The [medulla](/source/Medulla_(lichenology)) (inner layer) is white. When tested with [potassium hydroxide](/source/Potassium_hydroxide) solution (the [K test](/source/K_test)), the upper surface turns lutescent (yellowish), followed by rubescent (reddish). The [lobes](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#lobes) (divisions of the thallus) measure 0.5–1.4 mm in width and are irregular in shape, somewhat contiguous (nearly touching), and confluent (flowing together), often very confluent. They are flat or partially convex, appearing blackish beneath. The [rhizines](/source/Rhizine) (root-like attachment structures) are short and blackish in colour.[2]

The [apothecia](/source/Apothecia) (disc-shaped [fruiting bodies](/source/Fruiting_bodies) that produce spores) measure 1–4 mm in width and are [lecideine](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#lecideine) in form (lacking a distinct [thalline margin](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#thalline_margin) formed by thallus tissue). The margin is blackish or occasionally ashy-blackish in colour, fairly slender or of moderate thickness, whilst the [disc](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#disc) is flat, black, and nude (bare in texture). The [excipulum](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#excipulum) (outer rim of the apothecium) has an interior that is [verdigris](/source/Verdigris) to sooty coloured and reacts strongly to potassium hydroxide, or occasionally appears whitish to ashy.[2]

The [hypothecium](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#hypothecium) is distinctly brownish above and shows no reaction to potassium hydroxide, whilst appearing whitish below or occasionally becoming ashy. The spores, which number eight per [ascus](/source/Ascus), are arranged in two rows, appearing brownish, oblong, and blunt to [polarilocular](/source/Glossary_of_lichen_terms#polarilocular) (with polar thickenings separated by a thick septum containing a connecting channel). The spores are divided by a single [cross-wall](/source/Septum) (1-septate) with membranes that are unequally thickened, particularly in the apices and at the septum, measuring 15–23 [micrometres](/source/Micrometre) (μm) in length and 6–8 μm in width.[2]

## Habitat and distribution

*Pyxine philippina* was originally described from specimens collected at two locations in the Philippines. The type material includes collections from [Luzon](/source/Luzon) (Subprovince [Bontoc](/source/Bontoc%2C_Mountain_Province), Vanoverbergh 780) and from Subprovince [Benguet](/source/Benguet) (Merrill 7934), both growing on tree bark.[2] *Pyxine philippina* is one of 14 *[Pyxine](/source/Pyxine)* species that have been recorded from the Philippines,[3] and one of nine in the genus that was first described from specimens collected in the country.[4] The lichen has since been widely documented across Asia, including Bhutan,[5] India,[6] Japan,[7] Nepal,[8] and Thailand.[9]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CoL_SCSVP_1-0)** ["*Pyxine philippina* Vainio"](https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/SCSVP). *[Catalogue of Life](/source/Catalogue_of_Life)*. [Species 2000](/source/Species_2000): Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 30 October 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Vainio_1913_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Vainio_1913_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Vainio_1913_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Vainio_1913_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Vainio_1913_2-4) Vainio, Edvard August (1913). ["Lichenes insularum Philippinarum. II"](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/51382087). *The Philippine Journal of Science* (in Latin). **8** (2): 99–137 [110].

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Paguirigan_2020_3-0)** Paguirigan, J.A.G. (2020). ["A checklist of lichens known from the Philippines"](https://doi.org/10.5943%2Fcream%2F10%2F1%2F29). *Current Research in Environmental & Applied Mycology*. **10** (1): 319–376 [362–363]. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.5943/cream/10/1/29](https://doi.org/10.5943%2Fcream%2F10%2F1%2F29).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-dela_Cruz_et_al._2024_4-0)** dela Cruz, Thomas Edison; Llames, Lloyd Christian; Glori, Patricia Jhoanna; Sanvictores, Raphael; Cabales, Jaius Emmanuel; Aldover, Glen Carlo; Rejano, Jomar Hebrews; Akmad, Bainadzma; Lopez, Sam; Esmundo, Harvy Jay; Arbes, Ralph Kenneth; Morato, Maria Katrina; Agustin, Angeli; Nohay, Jennifer Anne; Cortes, Brennan; Bellen, John Joshua; Lagman, Jerry; Sabado, Jamille; Martin, Kathleen Olivia; Bennett, Reuel (2024). ["Checklist of novel microbes discovered in the Philippines"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378846585). *Philippine Journal of Science*. **153** (1): 257–297 [280]. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.56899/153.01.24](https://doi.org/10.56899%2F153.01.24).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Aptroot_&_Feijen_2002_5-0)** Aptroot, A.; Feijen, F.J. (2002). ["Annotated checklist of the lichens and lichenicolous fungi of Bhutan"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280979595). *Fungal Diversity*. **11**: 21–48.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Singh_et_al._2018_6-0)** Singh, K.P.; Singh, Pushpi; Sinha, G.P. (2018). ["Lichen diversity in the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot region, India"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322740727). *Cryptogam Biodiversity and Assessment* (1): 71–114 [97].

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Harada_2004_7-0)** Harada, H.; Okamoto, T.; Yoshimura, Y. (2004). "日本産の地衣類および関連菌類のチェックリスト" [Checklist of lichens and allied fungi of Japan]. *Lichenology*. **2**: 49–165.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Baniya_&_Bhatta_2021_8-0)** Baniya, Chitra Bahadur; Bhatta, Pooja (2021). ["Exploration of Lichen in Nepal"](https://dpr.gov.np/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/5.-Exploration-of-Lichen-.pdf) (PDF). *Journal of Plant Resources*. **19** (1): 19–54 [50].

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Buaruang_et_al._2017_9-0)** Buaruang, Kawinnat; Boonpragob, Kansri; Mongkolsuk, Pachara; Sangvichien, Ek; Vongshewarat, Kajohnsak; Polyiam, Wetchasart; Rangsiruji, Achariya; Saipunkaew, Wanaruk; Naksuwankul, Khwanruan; Kalb, Jutarat; Parnmen, Sittiporn; Kraichak, Ekaphan; Phraphuchamnong, Phimpisa; Meesim, Sanya; Luangsuphabool, Theerapat; Nirongbut, Phimpha; Poengsungnoen, Vasun; Duangphui, Natwida; Sodamuk, Mattika; Phokaeo, Supatra; Molsil, Muthita; Aptroot, André; Kalb, Klaus; Luecking, Robert; Lumbsch, Thorsten (2017). ["A new checklist of lichenized fungi occurring in Thailand"](https://doi.org/10.3897%2Fmycokeys.23.12666). *MycoKeys* (23): 1–91 [72]. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3897/mycokeys.23.12666](https://doi.org/10.3897%2Fmycokeys.23.12666).

Taxon identifiers Pyxine philippina Wikidata: Q10647723 Wikispecies: Pyxine philippina GBIF: 3433020 iNaturalist: 977456 IndexFungorum: 403611 MycoBank: 403611 Open Tree of Life: 3765541 SpeciesFungorum: 403611 TaiCOL: t0043598

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pyxine philippina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyxine_philippina) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyxine_philippina?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.