Flora of New Zealand Series

≡Parmelia mexicana Gyeln., Repert. Spec. nov. Regni veg. 29: 281 (1931).

Description : Flora (1985: 613).

Chemistry : Cortex K−; medulla K+ yellow→red, C−, KC+ red, Pd+ orange; containing salazinic, consalazinic, norstictic (tr.), protoconstipatic (tr.), constipatic (tr.) and usnic acids.

N: Auckland (Karekare). S: Nelson (Puponga, St Arnaud Ra.), Marlborough, Canterbury (Little Mt Peel), Otago (West Matukituki Valley, West Hunter Valley, Rees River, Old Man Ra.). On subalpine or alpine rocks, rarely on coastal rocks. Known also from Australia, USA, Mexico, India and Japan (Elix et al. 1986b: 298; Elix 1994s: 263; Brodo et al. 2001: 738; Divakar & Upreti 2002; McCarthy 2003c, 2006; Nash & Elix 2004; Nash et al. 2004a).

Cosmopolitan

Illustrations : Hale (1990: 146, fig. 50D); St. Clair (1999: 216); Brodo et al. (2001: 739, pl. 909); Divakar & Upreti (2002: 516, fig. 8).

Xanthoparmelia mexicana is characterised by: the saxicolous habit; lobes 1–2(–5) mm wide; dense, branched isidia; a pale lower surface; and salazinic acid in the medulla.