TYPE. UNITED STATES. FLORIDA, Ravenel s.n. (FH-Tuck, lectotype, designated by Ahti, 1993; BM, isolectotype)

Description. Lichenized fungus.

Thallus squamulose to subcrustose to dimorphic; primary squamules 2-3 x 0.5 mm, ecorticate, margins erose-lacinulate or more commonly dissolving into granules forming depressed mats. Photobiont Asterochloris alga. Podetia sparse, 5-15 mm tall, unbranched to slightly branched, smooth becoming verrucose to granular, yellowish green or white, expanding slightly; podetial surface corticate, often patchily granular-sorediate. Ascomata uncommon, biatorine apothecia 1-2 mm diam. atop of podetia, red. Pycnidia on squamules, subglobose, black, 200 x 150-200 μm; pycnidial jelly red; conidia 6-8 μm, strongly curved.

Chemistry. Spot tests K+ yellow, P+ yellow; major compounds thamnolic acid and didymic acid; minor compounds decarboxythamnolic, subdidymic, and condidymic acids.

Substrate and Habitat. On bark and wood, especially on conifers.

Distribution. Southeastern North America, Caribbean; in North Carolina throughout.

Literature

Ahti, T. (2002) Cladoniaceae. Flora Neotropica 78: 1-362.

Tuckerman, E. (1882) A Synopsis of North American Lichens: Part 1, comprising the Parmeliacei, Cladoniei, and Coenogoniei. S.E. Cassino, Boston. 261 pp (original description).