Heterodermia appendiculata
Synonyms
Anaptychia appendiculata
Family
Physciaceae
Flora category
Lichen – Native
Endemic taxon
No
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Lichens - Foliose
Current conservation status
2018 | Data Deficient | Qualifiers: SO
Brief description
Characterised by the corticolous habit; marginal phyllidia; a non-corticate lower surface; and norstictic acid (K+ yellow→red) in the medulla.
Distribution
North Island: Northland (Kaitaia, Helena Bay), Auckland (Dome Valley, Puhoi).
Known also from West Africa, Brazil, and Australia.
Habitat
On Cordyline.
Detailed description
Lobes slightly disjunct or adjacent, ± plane, not ascending, with short lateral lobes. Upper surface even, squamulose. Squamules mainly marginal, rarely laminal, dissected. Lower surface ecorticate, pale to brownish. Apothecia laminal, sessile to subpedicellate, thalline exciple squamulose, squamules long and deeply dissected, disc brown or brown-black, matt. Ascospores with sporoblastidia, 37-53 × 18-25 µm.
Chemistry: Atranorin, zeorin, and norstictic acid.
Similar taxa
Similar to other members of this genus but defined by its phyllidiate thallus and K+ yellow-red chemistry.
Substrate
Corticolous
Etymology
heterodermia: From the Greek heteros (other, different) and derma (a skin or hide), in reference to the presence or absence of a lower cortex
appendiculata: Appendiculate, with small appendages or projections, hanging in small fragments
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared by Marley Ford (24 February 2022). Brief description, Distribution, Habitat, and Features sections copied from Galloway (1985, 2007).
References and further reading
Galloway D.J. 1985: Flora of New Zealand: Lichens. Wellington: PD Hasselberg, Government Printer. 662 pp.
Galloway D.J. 2007: Flora of New Zealand: Lichens, including lichen-forming and lichenicolous fungi. 2nd edition. Lincoln, Manaaki Whenua Press. 2261 pp.