LICHALP

Umbilicaria vellea (L.) Ach.

Syn.: Gyrophora vellea (L.) Ach., Gyrophora vellerea Nyl., Lichen velleus L.

Lichenised.

Substrate: siliceous rocks

Altitudinal range: from the montane belt (potential vegetation: deciduous forests dominated by Fagus sylvatica and closed coniferous forests with Picea abies) to the nival belt (above the lower limit of perennial snow and glaciers)

Note: an arctic-alpine, probably circumpolar lichen found on steeply inclined, exposed surfaces of siliceous rocks with some water seepage, especially along fissures, with optimum above treeline; widespread throughout the siliceous Alps.