Flora of New Zealand Series

Holotype: New Zealand. Westland, Otira Gorge, 15.iv.1927, G. Einar & Greta Du Rietz 2666 : 2 – BM. Isotype – UPS.

Description : Thallus squamulose, forming a flat, ± continuous mat over substratum, sometimes ±caespitose, usually with distinct, enlarged marginal squamules to 4 mm wide, loosely attached with numerous, elongate lobes forming flattened tongue-like projections (schizidia), without isidia. Upper surface shining, grey-brown to often blackish. Cyanobiont Scytonema. Apothecia biatorine, to 1.5 mm diam., ±plane, blackish, proper exciple narrow, thalline exciple absent. Ascospores ellipsoidal, 14–17(–20) × 7–9 μm.

Chemistry : TLC−, all reactions negative.

N: Wellington (Tongariro National Park). S: Nelson (Owen Ra., Kakapo Peak), Marlborough (Waihopai Pass), Westland (Otira Gorge) to Otago (Garvie Mts, Old Man Ra., Lake Onslow, Rock & Pillar Ra.). Subalpine to high-alpine among mosses in fellfield and alpine screes, or on rock outcrops, 300–2000 m. Also in similar alpine habitats in Tasmania (Jørgensen & Galloway 1992b: 274; McCarthy 2003c, 2006).

Australasian

Parmeliella ligulata is characterised by: the terricolous/saxicolous habit; the cushion-forming thallus of crowded squamules (to 4 mm wide) with elongated, tongue-like projections; the grey-brown to blackish, glossy surface; the black apothecial discs; and ellipsoidal ascospores, 14–17(–20) × 7–9 μm.