Flora of New Zealand Series

≡Zahlbrucknera calcarea Herre, Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci. 12 (2): 129 (1910).

Description : Flora (1985: 622).

N: Wellington (Ruahine limestone plateau). S: Nelson (Mt Arthur), Canterbury (Cave Stream, Weka Pass, Mt Somers), Otago (Awamoko Stream near Oamaru). On limestone or base-rich rocks, on steeply inclined or shaded surfaces, cliffs or outcrops, often with periodic water seepage; probably more widespread on basicolous substratums. Known also from Europe, Scandinavia, Iceland, Asia, China, South Africa, North America and Tasmania (Henssen 1977, 2004; Kantvilas & Elix 1992; Nimis 1993; Santesson 1993; Goward 1999; Lumbsch et al. 2001; McCarthy 2003c, 2006; Nimis & Martellos 2003; Santesson et al. 2004).

Cosmopolitan

Illustrations : Henssen & Jahns (1973: 332, fig. 13.24A–D); Henssen (1977: 19, pl. 1G; 20, pl. 2C; 22, fig. 1E–G; 24, pl. 4A,B; 30, fig. 5; 32, pl. 8J; 2004: 199, fig. 2B, CE; 200, fig. 3A–D); Thomson (1984: 489); Goward (1999: 265).

Zahlbrucknerella calcarea is characterised by: the saxicolous (basicolous rocks) habit; a thallus of small, black tufts to 1 mm tall; a well-developed basal strand composed of elongated cells which may become considerably enlarged in older parts and especially around developing apothecia. Hymenium 100–130 μm tall; broadly cylindrical to clavate, 24-spored (rarely 16-spored) asci, 70–90 × 14–20 μm; and bacillar conidia 3–4.5 × 1 μm. Some European and North American collections are parasitised by the lichenicolous fungus * Ticothecium zahlbrucknerellae Henssen (Henssen 1977: 44–45).