Flora of New Zealand Series

≡Parmelia sciastra Ach. Methodus, Suppl.: 49 (1803).

Description : Thallus irregular to orbicular, 1–2 cm diam., confluent with other thalli and forming larger patches, grey-brown to dark-brown and appeariung darker because of the presence of isidia. Lobes narrow, 0.5–1 mm wide, imbricate. Isidia abundant, granular, marginal to laminal, sometimes soredia-like and covering patches of lobes. Lower surface black, with black rhizines. Apothecia not seen in New Zealand material.

Chemistry : TLC−, all reactions negative.

S: Canterbury (Rangitata Gorge), Otago (Dunstan Creek). On sloping damp, moss-covered rock slabs, along water-seepage channels, and associating with Collema sp., Physcia caesia, Pseudocyphellaria crocata and mosses. It is still a rare and overlooked species in New Zealand. Known also from Europe, Scandinavia, Greenland, Africa, Asia, North and South America, and Antarctica (Moberg 1977, 1993, 1994b, 1995, 2002f; Moberg & Hansen 1986; Goward et al. 1994b; Esslinger & Egan 1995; Brodo et al. 2001; Elvebakk & Moberg 2002; Nimis & Martellos 2003; Esslinger 2004a; Øvstedal & Lewis Smith 2004).

Cosmopolitan

Illustrations : Goward et al. (1994b: 107, fig. 9B); Moberg (1997: 48, fig. 22); Brodo et al. (2001: 544, fig. 654); Dobson (2005: 334).

Phaeophyscia sciastra is characterised by: the saxicolous habit; the small, very dark greenish grey thallus appearing almost grey-black; the narrow lobes; and the granular isidia.