Brook Stippleback Lichen vs Common Fieldcap

Dermatocarpon luridum compared with Agrocybe pediades

Key Differences

• Brook Stippleback Lichen is Critically Endangered while Common Fieldcap is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Brook Stippleback Lichen	Common Fieldcap
Kingdom same	Fungi (Fungi)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Eurotiomycetes (Eurotiomycetes)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Verrucariales (Verrucariales)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Verrucariaceae	Strophariaceae
Genus	Dermatocarpon	Agrocybe
Species	Dermatocarpon luridum	Agrocybe pediades

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Brook Stippleback Lichen

CR — Critically Endangered

Common Fieldcap

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Brook Stippleback Lichen	Common Fieldcap
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Brook Stippleback Lichen

Habitat

Inhabits temperate broadleaf and mixed forests and Mediterranean forests and woodlands within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and United States. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Common Fieldcap

Habitat

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

Range

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

Brook Stippleback Lichen

The Brook Stippleback Lichen (Dermatocarpon luridum) is a species in the genus Dermatocarpon. It is currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Inhabits temperate broadleaf and mixed forests and Mediterranean forests and woodlands within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

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