Usnea torulosa (Müll.Arg.) Zahlbr.
U. dasypogoides var. torulosa Müll. Arg., Flora 66: 19 (1883).
U. glomerata Mot., Lich. Gen. Usnea Stud. Monogr. 2: 315 (1937).
U. aurescens Mot., Lich. Gen. Usnea Stud. Monogr. 2: 561 (1938).
U. aurescens. Lectotype: New Zealand. Otago, Cave Hill, Dunedin on rock. J.S. Thomson (T 245) M 23, CHR 343970!
Thallus fruticose, erect or partly decumbent, branches short, stiff, to 5 cm tall, pale greenish-yellow or pale yellow or yellowish-white blackened at base, crowded and convergent at base. Branches uniform, mostly simple, straight or rarely curved, 1-1.5 mm thick, thinner at apices, cortex glossy, waxy, annulate- cracked or fissured in parts, occasionally slightly faveolate, with small, round to irregular, punctate to spreading pseudocyphellae which become granular- sorediate. Soredia granular in convex masses, yellowish or blackened. Apothecia not seen. Chemistry: Three distinct chemodemes are found in this species; (i): Psoromic, conpsoromic, ± squamatic and usnic acids. (ii): Squamatic and usnic acids (type has this chemistry). (iii): Barbatic 4-O-demethylbarbatic, squamatic (UV+ white) and usnic acids (type of U. aurescens has this chemistry).
S: Nelson to Otago (Mt Maungatua). St: (Mt Anglem, Deceit Peaks). A: C: Alpine, subantarctic. From rocks in exposed alpine habitats. Associated with species of Bryoria, Neuropogon, Umbilicaria, Pseudephebe, Parmelia signifera etc.
Australasian
