Type. UNITED STATES. MAINE, Toque Pond Camps (near Mt. Kathadin), on Fagus grandifolia, 1939-00-00, Degelius s.n. (hb. Degel., holotype)

Description. Lichenized fungus.

Thallus foliose, thallus extremely variable; lobes narrow, 0.5-1.2 mm wide; upper surface pale to dark green or greenish gray to brown; medulla orange-red. Photobiont chlorococcoid alga. Lower surface black; rhizines short, black with white tips. Vegetative diaspores coarse soredia mostly on lobe margins, also on surface. Ascomata rare, lecanorine apothecia, occasional, less than 1-3 mm diam., often with cilia beneath. Ascospores brown, 2-celled, 20-35 x 10-15 um, thick-walled with round locules (Pachysporaria-type). Pycnidia not reported.

Chemistry. Spot tests all negative except for medulla K+ purple (rhodopyscin)

Substrate and Habitat. On bark, rock or over moss in shaded forests

Distribution. Eastern North America; in North Carolina throughout.

Notes. Phaeophyscia rubropulchra is easily distinguished by its orange medulla and presence of soredia. This taxon was transferred from Physcia to Phaeophyscia twice, independently by Theodore Esslinger and Roland Moberg in the summer of 1978.  Esslinger’s combination was published on 13 July, before Moberg’s combination on 25 August.  Since Esslinger’s combination appeared first, it is therefore the current name.

Literature

Brodo, I.M., S. Duran Sharnoff & S. Sharnoff. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press, New Haven & London. 795 pp.

Esslinger, T.L. 1978. Studies in the lichen family Physciaceae. II The genus Phaeophyscia in North America. Mycotaxon 7(2): 283-320 (original description under current name).

Moberg, R. (1974) Studies on Physcia. I. Svensk Botanisk Tidskrift 63(3): 285-288 (description as Physcia rubropulchra).

Moberg, R. (1978) Overlooked names and new combinations in Phaeophyscia (Lichenes). Botaniska Notiser. 131(2): 259-262.