Follmann, Bibl. Lichenol. 67: 14. 1997. – Reinkella lirellina Darb., Bull. Herb. Boiss. 5: 764. 1897. – Lectotype [selected by Tehler (1990)]: Peru, Lima. "Erdumseglung S. M. Fregatte 'Donau' 1868-71". 1868-71, Wawra s.n. (UPS); isolectotype: (B-128682).

Thallus main branches terete, secondary branches occasionally partially compressed but not distinctly flattened, smooth or foveate, usually 5-20 cm long, grey to brownish-grey; soredia present, C-; medulla compact, pale ochre to ochre or in lower branches often brownish to dark brown. Ascomata absent. Spot tests: medulla K-, C-; cortex K-, C+/- red (typically reacting only faintly red in upper branches or branch tips, lower branches usually C-). Secondary metabolites erythrin, lecanoric acid, protocetraric acid, roccellic acid, roccellin (Follmann, 1997).

Distribution and habitat: Roccella lirellina is endemic to the coast of Peru, extending from Piura in the north down to Pisco in the south. It grows in coastal regions on vertical rocks and cliffs.

Notes. Roccella lirellina is extremely similar and morphologically more or less identical to both R. margaritifera and R. nigerrima. A very trained eye may be able to distinguish R. lirellina from the other two species by the impression of a somewhat more hefty and knotty habitus with slightly more roundish branch tips (Fig. 4b) in combination with only a faint C+ red reaction as compared to the two, sterile Galapagos species which are either C+ distinctly red or completely C-, even if some variation exists among the Galapagos species. Roccella lirellina has never been found fertile.

from:
Tehler, A., Irestedt, M., Bungartz, F. & Wedin, M. (2009) Evolution and reproduction modes in the Roccella galapagoensis aggregate (Roccellaceae, Arthoniales). Taxon 58: 438–456.