Heterodermia isidiophora
Synonyms
Physcia domingensis f. isidiophora Nyl.
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: OL, SO
Brief description
Characterised by the laminal, simple to coralloid-branched isidia; and the corticate lower surface with black rhizines.
Distribution
North Island: South Auckland (Whale Island).
Known also from East and South Africa, Madagascar, northern South America and East Australia.
Habitat
On rocks beneath semi-open Melicytus ramiflorus - Metrosideros excelsa coastal forest.
Detailed description
Thallus lobes slightly disjunct or adjacent, ±plane, not ascending, with short lateral lobes. Upper cortex of even thickness, isidiate. Isidia cylindrical, simple to coralloid-branched, marginal and laminal. Lower surface corticate, greyish to pale brown. Rhizines numerous, forming a dense, black mat. Apothecia when present sessile to subpedicellate, thalline exciple isidiate. Ascospores 21–31 × 12–17 μm, without sporoblastidia.
Chemistry: Atranorin and zeorin.
Similar taxa
Similar to Heterodermia isidiophorella but a smaller species (thallus 2–5 cm wide; lobes 0.1–0.5 mm wide vs thallus 5–20 cm wide; lobes 0.7–2.5 mm wide) with isidia not becoming granular.
Substrate
Saxicolous
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
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared by Marley Ford (15 February 2022). Brief description, Distribution, Habitat, Features, and Similar taxa sections copied from Galloway (2007).
References and further reading
Galloway D.J. 2007: Flora of New Zealand: Lichens, including lichen-forming and lichenicolous fungi. 2nd edition. Lincoln, Manaaki Whenua Press. 2261 pp.