description Candelariella aurella Overview
Candelariella aurella is a yellow crustose lichen in the family Candelariaceae, often known as the hidden goldspeck or egg-yolk lichen. It forms small yellow areoles and apothecia on exposed calcareous rock, calcareous sandstone, or dust-impregnated bark and wood in lime-rich areas. The species is widespread and can occur in urban and natural settings wherever suitable sunlit, calcium-rich surfaces are available.
help Candelariella aurella FAQ
What does Candelariella aurella look like?
It is a small yellow to yellow-green crustose lichen, often appearing as scattered granules with yellow apothecia, the spore-producing discs. British Lichen Society descriptions put the apothecia at roughly 0.2 to 1.2 millimeters across. [British Lichen Society](https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/Candelariaceae.pdf)
Where does Candelariella aurella grow?
It favors calcium-rich surfaces such as limestone, calcareous sandstone, concrete, mortar, and asbestos-cement, and it can also occur on dust-impregnated bark or wood. In Britain it is especially common on basic man-made surfaces and in urban habitats. [British Lichen Society](https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/Candelariaceae.pdf)
Is Candelariella aurella a plant?
No. It is a lichen-forming fungus in the family Candelariaceae, living with a photosynthetic partner, so its yellow crust is not a moss or flowering plant. [Lichen Portal](https://lichenportal.org/portal/taxa/index.php?clid=1078&taxauthid=1&taxon=53267)
Why is Candelariella aurella called hidden goldspeck or egg-yolk lichen?
The common names refer to the tiny golden granules and yellow discs that can look like specks of yolk on pale stone. The species name is Candelariella aurella, and the yellow patches may be so inconspicuous that a hand lens is useful for identification. [British Lichen Society photo guide](https://britishlichensociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/document-downloads/Photo%20Guide%20to%20Common%20Churchyard%20Lichens%20v3.3.pdf)
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