Flora of New Zealand Series

P. leptaleina (Nyl.) Müll. Arg., Bull. Herb. Boissier 2. App. 1: 91 (1894).

Verrucaria leptaleina Nyl., Lich., N.Z.: 130 (1888).

Holotype: New Zealand. Westland, Greymouth. (On podocarp scale). Richard Helms 281, 1886, H-NYL 1788!

Thallus grey-green or olivaceous-fawn, in irregular patches 1-2 cm diam., areolate-cracked, areolae convex, minutely lumpy to irregular, matt or shining. Perithecia sparse, convex, hemispherical, red-brown to dark brown. Paraphyses filiform, simple. Asci 8-spored, narrowly clavate, thin-walled. Ascospores fusiform, apices pointed, 3-septate, 20.4-30.6 × 5.1-6.8 µm.

S: Known only from the type collection.

Endemic

Swinscow [ Lichenologist 2: 40 (1962)] draws attention to the similarity of this species to P. leptalea (Dur. et Mont.) A.L. Sm. of Europe and N Africa. The New Zealand material has larger spores but other characters are similar.