LICHALP

Parmelia ernstiae Feuerer & A. Thell

Lichenised.

Substrate: bark

Altitudinal range: from the submediterranean/colline belt (potential vegetation: mixed deciduous forests dominated by Quercus and Carpinus) to the montane belt (potential vegetation: deciduous forests dominated by Fagus sylvatica and closed coniferous forests with Picea abies)

Note: this mainly epiphytic species differs from P. saxatilis in the strongly pruinose thallus and isidia, and in molecular characters; it is likely to be more widespread in the Alps, but in the past it was often confused with P. saxatilis.