Flora of New Zealand Series

≡Nephroma resupinatum var. rufa C.Bab.in J.D. Hooker, Fl. Nov. Zel. 2: 272 (1855).

≡Nephromium laevigatum var. rufum (C.Bab.) Nyl., Syn. meth. lich. 1 (2): 321 (1860).

≡Nephromium helveticum var. rufum (C.Bab.) Nyl. in A.M. Hue, Nouv. Archs Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, sér. 3, 2: 310 (1890).

≡Nephroma helveticum var. rufum (C.Bab.) Js. Murray, Trans. Roy. Soc. N. Z. 88: 386 (1960).

Lectotype: New Zealand. South I., Southland, Milford Sound, D. Lyall s.n. – BM [fide White & James (1988: 158)]. Isolectotype – VER.

Descriptions : Flora (1985: 315). See also White & James (1988: 158–160).

Chemistry : Hopane-15α,22-diol and 7β-acetoxyhopane-22-ol (tr.).

N: Te Kotukutuku (Colenso 5097 WELT). S: Nelson (Aniseed Valley); Canterbury (Nina Valley near Lewis Pass, Craigieburn Ra., Banks Peninsula, Peel Forest, Lake Tekapo); Otago (Lake Ohau, Routeburn Valley, Trotters Gorge, Dunedin, Akatore, Kaka Point); Southland (Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound). On damp rocks and tree trunks in deeply shaded, humid habitats. Known also from E Australia (Queensland to Victoria) and Tasmania (White & James 1988; McCarthy 2003c, 2006).

Australasian

Illustrations : White & James (1988: 159, fig. 18A); Malcolm & Galloway (1997: 101).

Nephroma rufum differs from N. helveticum in the nearly glabrous lower surface, the entire lobe margins, the scattered laminal phyllidia, the different spore size and the different chemistry. It occurs widely throughout New Zealand though is still rather poorly collected.