Flora of New Zealand Series

≡Ricasolia asperula Stirt., Proc. phil. Soc. Glasgow 10: 294 (1877).

Holotype: New Zealand. Near Wellington, J. Buchanan 238 – BM. Isotype – WELT.

Description : Flora (1985: 258).

Chemistry : Cortex K−; medulla K−, C+ red, KC+red, Pd−; containing gyrophoric acid.

N: Northland (Anawhata) to Wellington. S: Canterbury (Price's Valley, Banks Peninsula) to Otago (Nugget Point). On small trees and shrubs in coastal forest remnants, s.l. to 500 m. Occasionally on rocks.

Endemic

Illustration : Galloway (1981b: 325, fig. 3).

Lobaria asperula is distinguished from L. adscripta by the copiously phyllidiate lobes, by the thinner, and more papery texture of the thallus, and by the generally smaller and more fragile appearance. L. clemensiae Vain., [BM ! – isotype] from the Philippines is similar to L. asperula but has narrower, more laciniate lobes, an upper surface which is smooth and shining, and a lower surface which has a pronounced dark tomentose zone. Chemically the two taxa are identical.