Flora of New Zealand Series

Description : Thallus and apothecia as for Lecidea lapicida var. pantherina (q.v.) but with a dark-brown to brown-black hypothecium. Ascospores ellipsoidal, 10–12 × 5–6 μm.

Chemistry : Medulla K+ yellow→red, C−, KC+ red, Pd+ orange; containing norstictic acid.

S: Nelson (Kaituna Gorge, St Arnaud Ra.), Canterbury (Edwards Stream Arthur's Pass), Otago (Mt Earnslaw, Ram Rock, Waikouaiti Reservoir, Maungatua). On greywacke and schist, 300–1800 m, in streambeds and on alpine or subalpine rock outcrops in grassland. Associating with Lobothallia radiosa and Rhizocarpon reductum. Arctic–alpine on siliceous rocks in the Northern Hemisphere known from Europe, Scandinavia, and North America (Nimis 1993: 390; Santesson 1993: 121 – as Lecidea lapicida var. pantherina; Brodo 1995b: 154; Esslinger & Egan 1995; Hertel 1995: 174).

Bipolar

Lecidea swartzioidea is closely related to L. lapicida. It is characterised by: the saxicolous habit; a well-developed thallus; the K+ red reaction (norstictic acid); and, in contrast to L. lapicida var. pantherina, a dark-brown to brown-black hypothecium (Hertel 1995; Hertel & Andreev 2003).