dblanchon's Identifications

Lichen saxicolous on overhangs and flags on hard, undifferentiated Te Whanga Limestone (outcrops up to 2 m high), in exposed coastal site. Thallus C-, acetone extract dark orange-red on silica gel plate, granules very obvious, 75–200 µm wide. Associated with Caloplaca c.f. johnwhinrayi, Diplotomma alboatrum, Diploicia canescens subsp. australasica and other lichens. Very common.

This observation is thus far the only bona fide Chrysothrix candelaris I have seen in New Zealand - all other material so named in our herbaria is C. granulosa, C. occidentalis or C. xanthina. This observation came from lichen encrusted limestone rock samples I collected in pouring rain on 18 April 2023, and at the time, I was not even interested in this yellow lichen thinking it malformed Xanthoria parietina (LOL).

This determination was made by D.J. Blanchon on 30 June 2023 from my samples and I confirmed it independently.

It would seem that Chrysothrix candelaris is either very uncommon in New Zealand, or, on account of its saxicolous habitat under collected. The most common Chrysothrix in New Zealand is C. xanthina.

Voucher: P.J. de Lange CH & H. Tuanui-Chisholm, UNITEC 14226.

Abundant. Terricolous in open lichenfield and under kahikatoa (Leptospermum scoparium var. scoparium) dominated shrubland. This is the large, and more common race of this species, somewhat similar to C. inflata but perforations irregular, larger, and branching not at 90 degrees, there are other differences as well - which will be revealed when revision of these is completed.

DNA sequences place specimens from this site in Cladia cryptica as well (which is jolly nice for a change).

Depauperate specimens noted on serpentinite rock - identification in field by D.J. Blanchon, specimens collected for DNA sequencing.

Associated with more typical Cladia cryptica (confirmed by DNA sequences) noted growing on soil and leaf litter amongst serpentinite boulders (see https://inaturalist.nz/observations/106154347)

Corticolous on ramarama (Lophomyrtus bullata). Thallus yellowish-green when wet, white when dry, finely areolate; lirellae in raised verrucae, pinkish-brown to orange-brown when wet drying dark brown, sigmoid, branching (rarely stellate); ascospores fusiform, straight or curved, 18 × 4 μm.

Determination by A.J. Marshall from specimen.

Voucher: P.J. de Lange 15214, UNITEC.

Corticolous (and muscicolous) on ramarama (Lophomyrtus bullata). Thallus diffuse, granular-edffuse, powdery, greyish, olivaceous, in places pale rusty brown, ochraceous; apothecia sessile, solitary or paired, confluent, 0.5-1.4 mm diameter, disc pale brown to dark brown, often centrally blemished dark chestnut brown, immarginate; hypothecium pale yellow-brown, c.340 μm thick; asci 4-8 spored, ascospores 20-septate, 155 × 2.5 μm, filiform, sinous. UV+ pale rust-red.

Voucher: P.J. de Lange UNITEC 13058

Determination by D.J. Blanchon, confirmed by A.J. Marshall and P.J. de Lange

Close match for type - see: https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/bapalmuia-buchanani-stirt-kalb-l-%C3%A5%C2%A4cking/QAEiNcTva34ybQ?fbclid=IwAR0LMKQVyoGFg2g6lekKCcR7iidmveMSJRi8Se6QWpgVA64TCXOZxz3B-28

Common on the dry undersides and within cavities of pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) just above high tide mark. Thallus silvery grey, finely areolate; lirellae in raised verrucae, pinkish-brown to orange-brown when wet drying dark brown, sigmoid, branching or rarely stellate; ascospores fusiform, straight or curved, 20 × 3-4 μm.

Voucher collected.

Possibly - tentative determination by Dr Robert Luecking "S. kelica" - I will need to check spores etc.

Thallus silivery white but without obvious prothallus. Thallus covered in sorediate / pruinose orange-yellow pustules (pycnidia?). These structures K+ violet rapidly changed to black.

Common on pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) in extremely dry situations - associated with Calicium tricolor and Chrysothrix xanthina.

Voucher: P.J. de Lange 14394 & M. James, UNITEC 10704

Stirtoniella kelica - least ways as we understand it in New Zealand looks like this - https://inaturalist.nz/observations/13508617, https://inaturalist.nz/observations/19097349

Uncommon. Corticolous on the trunk and branches of rawiritoa (Kunzea amathicola).

This species was noted growing admixed with Flavoparmelia haysomii, causing some confusion because I loaded images of both species up as F. haywardiana.

Sorediate, dactyls not evident to me. K- reaction - images showing lack of reaction added. Medulla K-, C-, KC-, Pd+ brick red. Cortex K-. Images show KOH added to cortex and medulla and the lack of reaction after 30 minutes.

Noted for Farewell Spit - Wharariki Bioblitz 2019.

Voucher: P.J. de Lange 14528 & T.J.P. de Lange, UNITEC 11212

Corticolous on rawiritoa (Kunzea amathicola). Admixed with Flavoparmelia haywardiana - see https://inaturalist.nz/observations/36606216.

Images of lichen in the wild (in situ) and herbarium material, Thallus with dactyls, dactyls often apical, sorediate. Cortex and medulla K- , medulla C-, KC-, Pd+ orange. Images show KOH applied to cortex and medulla - no reaction noted after 30 minutes.

Noted for Farewell Spit - Wharariki Bioblitz 2019.

Voucher: P.J. de Lange 14528 & T.J.P. de Lange, UNITEC 12263

Saxicolous on rocks along track side. Thallus yellow-green when dry, grey-green when fresh, almost completely covered in a dense isidiate crust, isidia simple to branched. Chemical spot tests - Cortex K+ yellow; medulla K+ yellow - red, C-, KC+ pink, Pd+ orange,

Noted for Farewell Spit - Wharariki Bioblitz 2019.

Voucher: P.J. de Lange 14908 & T.J.P. de Lange, UNITEC 12265

Cladia inflata or possibly one of the New Zealand members of the Cladia aggregata complex - this one might be C. blanchonii or C cryptica. I will need to get a DNA sequence from it to work it out. Perforations sparse - those seen ovoid - ellipsoid, most on secondary branching (this suggested C. inflata).

Terricolous on open clay / stony ground either side of road. Abundant.

Noted for Farewell Spit - Wharariki Bioblitz 2019.

Voucher: P.J. de Lange 14847 & T.J.P. de Lange UNITEC 12211

Uncommon. Terricolous on exposed stone pavement overlying clay within low windswept Dracophyllum / Leptospermum shrubland. Small specimens. Thallus short, 'stubby' sparingly perforated, pycnidia cylindrical, blunt-ended, rather than acute.

Noted for Farewell Spit - Wharariki Bioblitz 2019.

Voucher: P.J. de Lange 14842 & T.J.P. de Lange, UNITEC 12206