Flora of New Zealand Series

≡Sphaerophorus microsporus Ohlsson in D.J. Galloway, N. Z. J. Bot. 21: 197 (1983).

Holotype: New Zealand. Westland, 15 km W of Turiwhate, 1971, H.A. Imshaug 48120 – MSC.

Descriptions : Flora (1985: 533 – as Sphaerophorus microsporus); Tibell (1987: 233–234); Wedin (1995b: 62).

Chemistry : Medulla K−, Pd+ red, occasionally Pd−; containing sphaerophorin (major), protocetraric acid (major – though present in variable amounts), pseudoplacodiolic acid (major) and an unidentified compound (tr.). An unidentified pigment is also present in the mazedium (Wedin 1995b).

N: South Auckland (Pirongia) to Wellington (Raetihi). S: Nelson to Southland (Lake Hauroko). A: Widespread and locally quite common, on bark in temperate rainforest, often on relatively thin and smooth stems.

Endemic

Exsiccati : Moberg (1996: No. 160); Tibell (1996a: No. 230).

Illustrations : Tibell (1987: 231, fig. 172B – as Sphaerophorus microsporus); Wedin (1992: 128, fig. 5; 1995b: 63, fig. 26A–D).

Bunodophoron microsporum is characterised by: the corticolous habit; the small thallus and by often growing in small, discrete tufts. The tiny spores (the smallest in the genus) and protocetraric acid in the medulla make it readily recognised. B. whakapapaense may be similar in gross morphology, but this species has larger spores, isounic acid in the cortex, and the stictic acid-complex in the medulla.