LICHALP

Rhizocarpon superficiale (Schaer.) Vain.

Syn.: Lecidea superficialis Schaer., Rhizocarpon crystalligenum Lynge, Rhizocarpon effiguratum auct. non (Anzi) Th. Fr., Rhizocarpon scabridum Räsänen, Rhizocarpon splendidum Malme

Lichenised.

Substrate: siliceous rocks

Altitudinal range: from the subalpine belt (potential vegetation: open, taiga-like forests dominated by Larix decidua and/or Pinus cembra and Rhododendron) to the nival belt (above the lower limit of perennial snow and glaciers)

Note: a mainly arctic-alpine species found on exposed siliceous rocks with a short snow cover, often very abundant in the nival belt of the Alps.