Nash, T.H., Ryan, B.D., Gries, C., Bungartz, F., (eds.) 2004. Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region. Vol 2.

Thallus: rosette-shaped to dwarf fruticose with terete lobes, lobes appressed, finally erect, dichotomously to irregularly branched lobes: 1-5 mm long, 0.1-0.2 mm wide, apically with globose swellings (hormocystangia) upper surface: black, lobes often finely striate lower surface: attached by rhizohyphae Apothecia: absent or present, few, terminal on lobe tips or ±lateral, small, 0.2-0.4 mm wide disc: black, with thick smooth persisting, thalline margin; proper exciple: thin, hyaline, IKI-; epihymenium: yellowish brown, K- hymenium: hyaline, IKI+ blue; subhymenium: hyaline, IKI+ blue ascus: cylindrical, 8spored ascospores: simple, hyaline, ±globose, 15-20 µm wide Pycnidia: not observed Spot tests: all negative Secondary products: none detected. Substrate and ecology: on calcareous rock in mountainous regions World distribution: North America and Europe Sonoran distribution: southern Arizona in the mountains. Notes: Lempholemma cladodes is distinctive in being dwarf fruticose and having ecorticate, branched, cylindrical lobes. The presence of Nostoc photobionts and globose hormocystangia at the lobe tips clearly distinguish the species from other dwarf fruticose cyanolichens such as Lichinella spp. and Peccania spp., that have single-celled cyanobacteria.