LICHALP

Lecanora polytropa (Hoffm.) Rabenh.

Syn.: Biatora polytropa (Hoffm.) Fr., Lecanora illusoria (Ach.) Leight., Lecanora varia (Hoffm.) Ach. var. illusoria Ach., Verrucaria polytropa Hoffm.

Lichenised.

Substrate: siliceous rocks, intermediate rocks (such as calciferous schists), lignum, bark

Altitudinal range: from the submediterranean/colline belt (potential vegetation: mixed deciduous forests dominated by Quercus and Carpinus) to the nival belt (above the lower limit of perennial snow and glaciers)

Note: a cool-temperate to arctic-alpine, circumpolar, ecologically wide-ranging lichen found on siliceous rocks wetted by rain, with a wide altitudinal range, but most frequent near and above treeline; widespread and very common throughout the Alps.