LICHALP

Caloplaca haematites (Chaub.) Zwackh

Syn.: Callopisma haematites (Chaub.) A. Massal., Lecanora haematites Chaub., Placodium haematites (Chaub.) Anzi

Lichenised.

Substrate: bark

Altitudinal range: from the mesomediterranean belt (potential vegetation: evergreen broad-leaved forests dominated by Quercus ilex) to the submediterranean/colline belt (potential vegetation: mixed deciduous forests dominated by Quercus and Carpinus)

Note: a mainly Mediterranean lichen found on smooth bark, especially common on Ficus carica. The species, despite its similarity with C. cerina, according to Vondrák (see Nimis 2016), does not belong to Caloplaca s.str. and is related to Pyrenodesmia s.lat. Apparently more frequent in the Southern and Western Alps. The basionym’s authorship is often cited “Chaub. ex St.-Amans”, but in the introduction to the Flore Agenaise Saint-Amans clearly states, referring to Chaubard, that “les lichens lui appartiennent en entier”. See also note on C. congrediens.