Flora of New Zealand Series

≡Lecidea flavidoatra Nyl., Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 9: 257 (1866).

≡Patellaria flavidoatra (Nyl.) Müll.Arg., Bull. Herb. Boissier 2, App.1: 64 (1894),

≡Catillaria flavidoatra (Nyl.) Hellb., Bihang K. Sv. Vet.-Akad. Handl. 21 (3/13): 111 (1896).

Lectotype: New Zealand. Otago, Fairfield, Saddle Hill, x.1861, W.L. Lindsay – E [fide Galloway (1985a: 264)].

Description : Flora (1985: 264).

Chemistry : Thallus K−, C−, KC+ yellow, Pd−; containing usnic acid and zeorin.

N: Northland (Waiwera Hill Reserve), Auckland (Waitakere Ra.). S: Nelson (Pelorus Bridge), Otago (Dunedin). On bark of trees (Hoheria, Metrosideros excelsa, Sophora microphylla). Also known from Tasmania where it is uncommon (Kantvilas 1994d; McCarthy 2003c, 2006).

Australasian

Illustration : Sipman (1983: pl. 20H).

Megaloblastenia flavidoatra is a characteristic corticolous species but is still very poorly collected in New Zealand. It is distinguished from M. marginiflexa by the warted, yellow-green thallus, the black, epruinose apothecia; and ascospores (30–)34–40 × 15–18(–23) μm.