Flora of New Zealand Series

C. approximans Zahlbr., Denkschr. Akad. Wiss. Wien math.-naturwiss. Kl. 104: 20 (1941).

Lectotype (fide Degelius 1974, p. 192): New Zealand, North Island, Sine loco. W. Colenso, No. 2601 "Herb. Leighton", BM!

Differs from the other two varieties in the whitish-downy surface, a unique and previously overlooked character in Collema. This downy layer, present on both upper and lower surfaces, is rather thin. Apothecia are very small, 0.2-1 mm diam., and ally this variety with C. fasciculare var. microcarpum, however spores are shorter 56-86(-110) × 2.5-4.5 µm, acicular, 12-16-celled.

N: Rare, known only from two collections, Colenso's type and from Tiritea near Palmerston North (E. Chamberlain W, CHR.).

Australian