Flora of New Zealand Series

S. loricatum I.M.Lamb in D.J. Galloway, I.M. Lamb & G.C. Bratt, Lichenologist 8 (1): 61 (1976).

Holotype: New Zealand. Otago, West Matukituki Valley, Mt French, on rock 1600 m, 23.x.1967. D.J. Galloway s.n. – FH. Isotypes – BM, CHR 524314, 240480 [this last specimen illustrated in Galloway et al. (1976: 62, pl.1)].

Description : Flora (1985: 548).

Chemistry : Thallus K+ yellow, C−, KC−, Pd+ red; containing; atranorin, colensoinic, fumarprotocetraric and salazinic (tr.) acids.

N: Hawke's Bay (Mt Kaweka). S: Canterbury (Phipps-Temple Ridge), Otago (Mt Elespie, Crescent Creek, West Matukituki Valley, French Ridge, Dredgeburn Valley, Mt Amphion, Humboldt Mts), Southland (Mt Hodges, Dusky Sound). On alpine to high-alpine rock outcrops, close to or W of the Main Divide, 850–2200 m.

Endemic

Illustration : Galloway et al. (1976: 62, pl. 1).

Stereocaulon loricatum is characterised by: the saxicolous habit; irregularly moderately branched podetia 10–20(–30) mm tall; the distinctly verrucose-areolate cortex; a primary thallus of prostrate to ascending, branching, ±dorsiventral lobes; convex, immarginate apothecia; 5–9-septate, elongate-fusiform ascospores, 40–70 × 4–6 μm; and a chemistry of atranorin, colensoinic, fumarprotocetraric and salazinic (trace) acids.