LICHALP

Phaeophyscia insignis (Mereschk.) Moberg

Syn.: Physcia insignis Mereschk., Physcia ticinensis (Mereschk.) Frey, Physcia virella (Ach.) Flagey var. gracilis Mereschk.

Lichenised.

Substrate: living mosses, calciferous rocks, 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: a mild-temperate species found on isolated trees with base-rich, soft bark; certainly more widespread albeit never common in the Alps, perhaps often confused with stout specimens of Hyperphyscia adglutinata.