Flora of New Zealand Series

P. occulta (Knight) Müll. Arg., Bull. Herb. Boissier 2, App. 1: 94 (1894).

Verrucaria occulta Knight, Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. ser. 2, Bot. 1: 279 (1878).

V. arthoniza Knight, T.N.Z.I. 15: 356 (1883).

Pyrenula straminescens Zahlbr., Denkschr. Akad. Wiss. Wien math.-naturwiss. Kl. 104: 255 (1941).

Lectotype: New Zealand, Sine loco (?Wellington). Charles Knight, BM!

Verrucaria arthoniza. Lectotype: New Zealand, ?Wellington. Charles Knight 14.5.76, WELT, Herb. Knight, Vol. 59A, p. 12!

P. straminescens. Lectotype: New Zealand. Otago, Saddle between Leith Valley and Waitati, in forest remnant on Suttonia divaricata. J.S. Thomson (T2167), A91, CHR 380000!

Thallus epiphloeodal in broad patches, 4-6 cm diam., continuous to ± deeply and irregularly areolate-cracked, cortex pale yellowish-white to olivaceous, subverrucose, rather roughened, often eroded. Perithecia rather few, scattered, 1 per areole, immersed, often inconspicuous, to submergent or eroded leaving small pits, 0.1-0.4 mm diam., concave, flat to rarely subconvex, black, shining or ± obscured by a thin covering of cortical or bark cells. Ostiole prominent, gaping, with a distinct margin. Ascospores 4-locular, oblong-ovoid, (13.6-)17-20(-23) × (5.1-)6.8-8.3 µm. Chemistry: UV+ orange, UV+ bright blue-grey after charring, UV+ quench substance, UV+ grey after charring.

N: Wellington. S: Otago (Dunedin).

Endemic