Flora of New Zealand Series

Type : Microcalicium disseminatum (Ach.) Vain. [=Cyphelium disseminatum Ach.]

Descriptions : Flora (1985: 293). See also Tibell (1987: 172; 1999c: 54)

Microcalicium is accommodated in the family Microcaliciaceae (Tibell 1997, 1998b; Eriksson et al. 2004; Pennycook & Galloway 2004; Eriksson 2005). The genus is parasitic or saprophytic on lichens (especially species of Calicium and Chaenotheca) or colonies of free-living algae, species generally growing on bark and/or lignum, tree roots and rocks, in humid, shaded habitats. Four species are known worldwide (Tibell 1978, 1987, 1999; Tibell & Ryan 2004i) of which two are found in New Zealand.