Flora of New Zealand Series

Verrucaria granulosa Hoffm., Descr. adumbr. Pl. Lich. 2: 21 (1794).

Thallus minutely granular-verrucose, dark green (in shade) to pale greenish-grey or fawnish, often with yellow-green or yellow-brown or rust-red soralia when sterile. Apothecia common, crowded (giving thallus a pinkish or orange tinge), sessile, 0.01-0.5 mm diam., disc plane to convex, orange-pink to pale pink or brown, proper margin pale, entire, persistent. Hymenium colourless, 70-90 µm tall. Hypothecium olive to red-brown. Ascospores ellipsoid, 8-13 × 4-6 µm. Chemistry: Thallus C+ red (fading fast). ?Lecanoric acid.

N: South Auckland (Mt Pirongia) to Wellington. S: Nelson to Otago. St: Mainly in forested areas along tracks, roads or in cut-over areas or regenerating areas devastated by fire. On soil or on rotting stumps or plant detritus, spreading in patches 5-10 cm diam. Associating with Gymnoderma melacarpum, Lecidea uliginosa and Phyllopsora congregans.

Cosmopolitan