Flora of New Zealand Series

≡Lichen xanthostigma Pers. in E. Acharius, Lichenogr. universalis: 403 (1810).

Description : Flora (1985: 73).

Chemistry : Thallus K−; containing calycin and pulvinic acid dilactone.

S: Canterbury (Hanmer, Andrews Stream). On fenceposts, and on Discaria toumatou on river flats. Probably more widely distributed on corticolous and lignicolous substrata in non-nutrient-enriched habitats. Known also from Great Britain, Europe, Scandinavia, North and South America, Australia (Hakulinen 1954; Thomson 1973; Brodo 1981; Purvis et al. 1992; Nimis 1993; Santesson 1993; Esslinger & Egan 1995; Galloway & Quilhot 1999; Scholz 2000; Brodo et al. 2001; Coppins 2002b; McCarthy 2003c, 2006; Nimis & Martellos 2003; Santesson et al. 2004; Westberg 2004).

Cosmopolitan

Illustrations : Hakulinen (1954: tab. II, fig. 26; tab. VI, fig. 21); James (1971: 129, fig. 4B); Harris & Buck (1978: 156, fig. 4; 157, fig. 7); Brodo (1981: 16, fig. 4); Moberg & Holmåsen (1982: 133); Wirth (1987: 110. 1995b: 245).

Candelariella xanthostigma is characterised by: the uniformly thin, minutely corticate-granular thallus; and its absence from nutrient-enriched sites. It is often mistaken for C. reflexa, but is duller in colour and lacks the true soredia of C. reflexa.