Certainly the most noticeable of all the lichen structures. They are often the first thing you notice once one really starts to look close at a lichen thallus. Like all things lichen you will soon learn that there are many differing subtypes and all these types can somewhat overlap. In general apothecia are disc or cup shaped structures that often are either raised from the lichen thallus or a different color. Inside the apothecium are specialized cells that aid in the dispersal of fungal spores call Asci (singular acus). To get an idea of what to look for here are examples of common apothecia types.