LICHALP

Caloplaca cacuminum Poelt

Syn.: Callopisma aurantiacum (Lightf.) A. Massal. var. microsporum Arnold, Caloplaca aurantiaca (Lightf.) Th. Fr. var. microspora (Arnold) Dalla Torre & Sarnth.

Lichenised.

Substrate: calciferous rocks, intermediate rocks (such as calciferous schists)

Altitudinal range: from the subalpine belt (potential vegetation: open, taiga-like forests dominated by Larix decidua and/or Pinus cembra and Rhododendron) to the alpine belt (potential vegetation: treeless Alpine grasslands and tundras, to the lower limit of perennial snow and the equilibrium line of glaciers)

Note: a probably arctic-alpine species found on limestone and dolomite in exposed habitats, often starting the life-cycle on other lichens; perhaps more widespread in the Alps.