Flora of New Zealand Series

Type : Hyperphyscia plinthiza (Nyl.) Müll.Arg. [=Physcia plinthiza Nyl.].

Description : Flora (1985: 187).

Hyperphyscia is a small genus in the family Physciaceae nom. cons. (Eriksson et al. 2004; Pennycook & Galloway 2004; Eriksson 2005) characterised by: foliose, usually small, agglutinated thalli, which are K−; a paraplectenchymatous upper cortex; an indistinct prosoplectenchymatous lower cortex; and the presence of filiform conidia. The lower surface lacks true rhizines, thalli being fixed to the substratum by hapters composed of microscopic, irregular strands of hyphae. Asci Lecanora -type (Rambold et al. 1994). Most taxa lack secondary compounds. Zeorin, skyrin and some unidentified pigments are known from the genus (Kashiwadani 1985; Moberg 1987a, 2002c; Scutari 1995, 1997). Ascospores are 1-septate (Pachysporaria -type), 3-septate (Conradia -type) or submuriform. Twelve taxa are presently known worldwide, with areas of speciation developed in East Africa, South Africa, and southern South America (Moberg 1987a, 2004b; Scutari 1991, 1995, 1997). Sonoran Desert taxa were recently recorded by Moberg (2002c). Two species are known in New Zealand.