Xanthoparmelia reptans
≡Parmelia reptans Kurok. in C. Baker, J.A. Elix, D.P.H. Murphy, S. Kurokawa & M.V. Sargent, Austral. J. Bot. 21: 137 (1973).
Description : Flora (1985: 610 – as Xanthoparmelia amphixantha).
Chemistry : Cortex K−; medulla K+ red-brown, C−, KC−, Pd+ red; containing ±succinprotocetraric, fumarprotocetraric, ±protocetraric (tr.), ±physodalic (tr.) and usnic acids.
S: Marlborough (Molesworth), Canterbury (Culverden, N of Wakari, Balmoral, Lake Heron, Twizel, N of Hakataramea Pass, Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Lake Ohau, Meyer's Pass near Waimate), Otago (Ahuriri River near Omarama, Lindis River near Cluden, Tarras, Cromwell, Alexandra, Raggedy Ra.). On exposed soil in depleted, arid grassland, montane and subalpine, to 1200 m. A common member of xeric lichen communities in these habitats, together with Cladia aggregata, Siphula coriacea, X. concomitans, X. molliuscula, X. semiviridis and X. sorediata. Known also from soil in drier areas of Australia (Elix 1994s: 283; McCarthy 2003c, 2006).
Australasian
Illustrations : Galloway (1981b: 530, fig. 2 – as Xanthoparmelia amphixatha); Filson & Rogers (1979: 133, fig. 23A – as Parmelia reptans); Hale (1990: 184, fig. 62D); Elix (1994s: 198, fig. 82); Eldridge & Tozer (1997: 41, fig. 4.22).
Xanthoparmelia reptans is characterised by: the terricolous habit; dichotomously to subdichotomously branching lobes with a canaliculate lower surface, and forming small rosettes on soil; and by fumarprotocetraric acid in the medulla.
