Asterisk Lichen vs Common Fieldcap

Arthonia radiata compared with Agrocybe pediades

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Asterisk Lichen	Common Fieldcap
Kingdom same	Fungi (Fungi)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Arthoniomycetes (Arthoniomycetes)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Arthoniales (Arthoniales)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Arthoniaceae	Strophariaceae
Genus	Arthonia	Agrocybe
Species	Arthonia radiata	Agrocybe pediades

Evolutionary Relationship

Asterisk Lichen and Common Fieldcap share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Fungi. (Fungi)

Conservation Status

Asterisk Lichen

LC — Least Concern

Common Fieldcap

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Asterisk Lichen	Common Fieldcap
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Asterisk Lichen

Habitat

Native to Europe and North America and South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (4 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Colombia).

Common Fieldcap

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States).

Asterisk Lichen

The Asterisk Lichen (Arthonia radiata) is a species in the genus Arthonia. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Native to Europe and North America and South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region. Widely distributed across Europe (4 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Colombia).

Common Fieldcap

The Common Fieldcap (<em>Agrocybe pediades</em>) is a saprotrophic fungus belonging to the genus Agrocybe within the family Strophariaceae. It typically produces small, tan to pale brown cap-shaped fruiting bodies and is often found growing in clusters or scattered on lawns, grassy areas, forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil-rich ecosystems. The species typically inhabits forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems, obtaining nutrients by breaking down dead organic matter. Its geographic range includes several European countries — Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden — as well as the United States in North America. <em>Agrocybe pediades</em> is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, reflecting its broad distribution and apparent stability. Biological traits of this species, including specific data on fruiting body size, lifespan, and ecological preferences, remain poorly documented in the scientific literature. Like other members of its genus, it typically fruits during warmer months and often appears after rainfall in nutrient-rich grassland and woodland habitats.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 5 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States