Flora of New Zealand Series

≡Parmelia plana Essl., J.Hattori Bot. Lab. 42: 132 (1977).

≡Neofuscelia plana (Essl.) Essl., Mycotaxon 7: 52 (1978).

Holotype: New Zealand. South I. Otago, Mt Heim, Ahuriri Valley, 2300 m, 1963, P. Walsh s.n. – CHR 375899.

Description : Flora (1985: 308 – as Neofuscelia plana).

Chemistry : Cortex K−, KNO3+ dark blue-green; medulla K−, C−, KC+ rose, fading, Pd−, UV−; containing glomelliferic acid.

S: Otago (Ahuriri Valley). On alpine rocks. Known only from the type locality.

Endemic

Illustration : Esslinger (1977b: 203, pl. 33, fig. 117 – as Parmelia plana).

Xanthoparmelia plana is a characteristic species with a stellate thallus and flat lobes that are wider at the apices than centrally. It is separated from X. adpicta only on the basis of medullary chemistry (X. adpicta has stenosporic acid).