Flora of New Zealand Series

≡Sphaerophoron polycarpum Colenso, Trans. N. Z. Inst. 16: 361 (1884).

=Coniophyllum colensoi Müll.Arg., Bull. Soc. Roy. Bot. Belg. 31 (2): 23 (1892).

Lectotype: New Zealand. Sine loco [Ruahine Ra., see below], 12/85, W. Colenso – BM [fide Galloway (1985a: 71)].

Coniophyllum colensoi. Lectotype: New Zealand. Sine loco [Ruahine Ra., see below], 12/85, W. Colenso – BM [fide Galloway (1985a: 71)].

Description : Thallus forming relatively small patches, often of a small number of lobes. Lobes 2.5–13(–15.5) mm wide and (3–)9–16(–19) mm long. Apothecia marginal (0.5–)1–2(–2.5) mm wide, 1–13 per fertile lobe. Asci 15–22 × 5–7 μm. Ascospores (4–)4.5–5.5(–6.5) μm diam.

Chemistry : K−, C−, KC−, Pd−, UV+ orange (underside of thallus); containing 3- O- methyl-5,7-dichloronorlichexanthone, 3- O -methyl-2,5,7-trichloronorlichexanthone and traces of c. 3 other unidentified xanthones (Wedin 2002: 67).

N: Gisborne (Lake Waikaremoana), Wellington (Tongariro National Park, Ruahine Ra., York Bay). S: Nelson (Lake Rotoiti), Canterbury (Craigieburn Ra.), Southland (Oblong Hill, Lake Hauroko). On trunks of Nothofagus, in forest, 360–1180 m. Known also from Tasmania, Chile and Argentina (Wedin 2002).

Austral

Illustration : Wedin (2002: 66, fig. 1B).

Calycidium polycarpum is characterised by: the sturdy thalli (in smaller patches than those of C. cuneatum), the larger, more sessile apothecia, the slightly larger ascospores, and a chemistry deficient in sphaerophorin but containing at least two major xanthones. Qualifying his description of the species, Colenso (1884: 361) wrote: "On trunks of aged Fagus trees in large patches, projecting horizontally, sub-alpine forests Ruahine mountain range, 1846–1852; always barren, but near Norsewood, bearing fruit plentifully, 1883."