Physcia clementei

Thallus foliose 4-5 cm diameter, narrow-lobed, grey-white, the central parts covered by isidia-like pustules dissolving into granulose soredia. Medulla white. Lower surface white in the margins, dark in the center. Asci 8-spored, ascospores brown 1-septate, 15-24 x 7-11 µm.

Reproduction: soredia; apothecia very rare.

Photobiont: Chlorococcoid.
Spot test: cortex and medulla K+ yellow, C-, KC-, P+ yellow.
Chemistry: cortex with atranorin; medulla with atranorin, lecotylin and traces of other triterpenoids.

Habitat:  growing mainly on trees, also on rocks in open sites, rich on nutrients. In Catalonia in localities near the Mediterranean sea.

Distribution: British Islands, Southern and Western Europe, Canary Islands, Azores, California, Nepal, and Australia.
Position in classification: Physciaceae, Caliciales, Lecanoromycetidae, Lecanoromycetes, Pezizomycotina, Ascomycota, Fungi.
 

Locality data:
Location: Bosc de la Marquesa, Tarragona (Tarragonès).
Ecology: On Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata.
Altitude: 30 m.
Climate: Mediterranean Csa (Tmm=16,0ºC, P=500 mm).
 
Etymology of names: Physcia is derived from the Ancient Greek Φυσκίων, (physkion, meaning "bladder" or "blister”) and clementei, epithet in honour of the Valencian botanist Simón de Rojas Clemente.