Flora of New Zealand Series

=Calicium subquercinum Asahina, J. Jap. Bot. 8: 2 (1932).

Description : Flora (1985: 59). See also Tibell (1987: 47) – as Calicium subquercinum.

Chemistry : TLC−, all reactions negative.

N: Northland (Karikari Peninsula to Rangitoto I.), South Auckland (Mt Moehau to Pureora State Forest), Gisborne (Mt Hikurangi, Lake Waikaremoana), Hawke's Bay (Napier–Taupo Road near Tarawera, Puketitiri), Taranaki (Kaitake Ra., Whangamomona), Wellington (Turangi to Tararua Ra.). S: Nelson (Kaihoka Lakes to Lake Rotoiti), Westland (Lake Mahinapoua), Canterbury (Arthur's Pass to Peel Forest), Otago (Makarora to Catlins), Southland (Longwood, Ra, Lake Hauroko, Percy Saddle, Lake Manapouri). Most frequently found on lignum of Metrosideros excelsa and Agathis australis in northern New Zealand, and on Nothofagus menziesii and N. solandri in southern areas. Also on lignum of Griselinia littoralis, Podocarpus totara, Rhopalostylis sapida and the bark of Dracophyllum traversii, Libocedrus bidwillii, Metrosideros excelsa, Nothofagus fusca and N. menziesii, s.l. to 1379 m. Widely distributed from cold temperate to subtropical habitats in Eurasia, North America, Africa the Pacific, Central and South America and Australia (Tibell 1999c; Nimis & Martellos 2003; Tibell & Thor 2003; Hermansson & Pystina 2004; Titov et al. 2004).

Cosmopolitan

Exsiccati : Tibell (1982: No. 54 – as Calicium subquercinum).

Illustration : Tibell (1987: 48, fig. 26 – as Calicium subquercinum; 1999c: 82).

Although extremely variable with respect to thallus thickness, apothecium size and pruinosity, C. lenticulare is easily recognised by: the obconical, often slightly reddish brown apothecia, the strong I+ reaction of stalk and excipulum, the narrowly clavate asci and the late formation of the septum of the spores. The apothecia in high-altitude collections tend to have a well-developed white pruina.