Leprocaulon arbuscula
≡Stereocaulon arbuscula Nyl., Syn. meth. lich. 1 (2): 253 (1860).
Description : Flora (1985: 246–247).
Chemistry : Two chemodemes are known: (1) containing atranorin, protocetraric, grayanic and didymic acids and two unidentified compounds; (2) containing atranorin, protocetraric and physodalic acids. Several acid-deficient phases occur in each chemodeme.
N: Northland (Whangarei Heads), Auckland (Manakau Heads). In coastal lowland forest, in damp, shaded, humid habitats, often on ±vertical rock banks, in joints in rock faces, and among mosses. Known also from Asia, East Africa, North America, Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Australia (Lamb & Ward 1974; Lambinon et al. 1981; Swinscow & Krog 1988; Filson 1996; Marcano et al. 1997; Aptroot 2002e; Wolseley et al. 2002).
Pantropical
Illustrations : Lamb & Ward (1974: 515, fig. 2); Swinscow & Krog (1988: 127, fig. 62).
Leprocaulon arbuscula is characterised by: the saxicolous/terricolous habit; small, fragile pseudopodetia profusely dendroid-branched, in tufts or clumps, 1–2 cm tall and to 0.4 mm diam. at base and to 0.15 mm diam. at apices; terminal branchlets very fine, coralloid; phyllocladial granules on terminal branchlets crowded, minute (to 0.1 mm diam.), pulverulent, dissolving into soredia.
