Parmotrema perlatum (Lichens of Bouverie Preserve)

Parmotrema perlatum

Diagnostic description ²

Parmotrema perlatum is distinguished by the ciliate lobes, marginal soralia (capitate in the sublacinules) and the presence of stictic acid (medulla K+ yellow, P+ orange). Parmotrema bangii can be differentiated for the formation of sorediose pustules, while P. hypoleucinum (J. Steiner) Hale has small maculae and a wide white margin in the lower surface (Brodo et al. 2001). In P. hypotropum (Nyl.) Hale there’s also a lower white margin (as in P. hypoleucinum), but it has just norstictic acid, the medulla being K+ yellow → red (Brodo et al. 2001). Finally, P. rampoddense, although with a similar morphology, presents alectoronic acid (medulla KC+ rose → quickly orange, UV+ greenish blue).

Some authors (Hale 1965, Swinscow & Krog 1988, Eliasaro 2001, Sipman 2005) described P. perlatum with revolute lobes, while Fleig (1997) called them involute and Hale & Cole (1988) as “revolute with the apex involute”. This last observation agrees with the specimen here seen. The presence of trace of norstictic acid in the solvent C, already reported by Elix (1994) and Brodo et al.
(2001), was confirmed here too.

Hale & Ahti (1986) discovered an earlier name, Lichen chinensis that became universally accepted. Nevertheless recently Hawksworth (2004) reestablished Parmotrema perlatum as the valid name.

[Spielmann & Marcelli 2009]

Field Notes ³

This species is indistinguishable from P. arnoldii without the use of a UV light or K test. P. perlatum does not react to UV light (the soredia of P. arnoldii shine blue-white under UV light) but does reacts K+Y in the medulla (P. arnoldii has a negative medullar K reaction).

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More Info

iNat Map

Color	white
Form	foliose
Morphological feature	cilia, soredia
Substrate	bark

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