Flora of New Zealand Series

≡Scyphophorus sulphurinus Michx, Fl. Bor.-Am. 2: 238 (1803).

Description: Flora (1985: 123).

Chemistry : Cortex K−, C−, KC+ yellowish, Pd−; containing squamatic acid (UV+ ice-blue) and usnic acids.

N: South Auckland (Volcanic Plateau) southwards. S: Canterbury (Arthur's Pass), Otago (Park Pass, Shelter Rock Hut Rees Valley, Saddle Hill), Southland. On peat soils and decaying wood, especially below Leptospermum. Known also from Great Britain, Europe, Scandinavia, Asia, North America, southern South America, Antarctica (Goward 1999; Øvstedal & Lewis Smith 2001; Ahti & Hammer 2002).

Bipolar

Illustrations : Thomson (1968: pl. 2, fig. 10 – as C. gonecha); Jahns (1980: 207, fig. 485 – as C. gonecha); Moberg & Holmåsen (1982: 139); Thomson (1984: 169); Wirth (1987: 161; 1995b: 301); Stenroos (1993: 313, fig. 2G); Krog et al. (1994: 171); Johnson et al. (1995: 358); Hansen (1995: 33); Goward (1999: 117, fig. 10A); St. Clair (1999: 64); Dobson (2000: 122; 2005: 132); Øvstedal & Lewis Smith (2001: pl. 37); Brodo et al. (2001: 274, pl. 271); Pope (2005: 22).

Cladonia sulphurina is characterised by: the large basal squamules (5–10 mm long); the finely sorediate, unbranched yellowish green podetia terminating upwards in non-flaring, often lacerate cups; and the UV+ ice-blue medullary rection (squamatic acid).