Flora of New Zealand Series

M. inflata (Hillmann) P.James & D.J.Galloway in D.J. Galloway, N. Z. J. Bot. 21: 194 (1983).

≡Parmelia inflata Hillmann, Feddes Repert. 48: 7 (1940).

Lectotype: New Zealand. Otago, Mt Maungatua, summit grassland, 1936, H.H. Allan – CHR 162981 [fide P. James & D.J. Galloway in Galloway (1983a: 194)].

Description : Flora (1985: 284).

Chemistry : Medulla K+ yellow-orange, C−, KC+ orange, Pd+ orange; containing stictic, constictic, norstictic (tr.) and menegazziaic acids and an accessory compound.

N: Wellington (Ruahine Ra.). S: Nelson (St Arnaud Ra., Diamond Lakes, Mt Peel), Marlborough (Mt Fishtail, Mt Ellis), Westland (Kelly Ra.), Canterbury (Torlesse Ra.), Otago (Lake Mackenzie, Ocean Peak, Caples Valley, Dunstan Mts, Maungatua), to Southland (Dusky Sound, Fiordland, East Dome, Mt Burns). Close to or W of the Main Divide, eastwards to the foothill ranges of Canterbury and Otago, in alpine or subalpine grasslands. St: (Mt Allen).

Endemic

Illustration : Martin & Child (1972: 71, pl. 10).

Menegazzia inflata is a very distinctive species often forming loosely straggling, entangled tufts or patches in tussocks or at the base of or around interior branches of subalpine shrubs (especially Dracophyllum and Hebe). The tubular lobes are vermiform and variously blackened or occasionally pure white. It is not readily mistaken for any other species in the genus.