Flora of New Zealand Series

Byssus nigra Huds., Fl. angl.: 487 (1762).

Thallus forming small cushion-like clumps, or thread-like, dispersed, to 2 cm diam., saxicolous. Filaments slender, black, densely interwoven, felt-like or a fine network of black lines (×10 lens).

S: Nelson (St Arnaud Ra.) to Otago (Central Otago mountains). St: (Mt Anglem). Mainly alpine or subalpine on both acidic and calcareous rocks, often occurring in conjunction with species of Placopsis and Trentepohlia.

Bipolar

Its black colour and small size and fine texture render it very inconspicuous and it is often overlooked.