LICHALP

Staurothele rupifraga (A. Massal.) Arnold

Syn.: Polyblastia calcarea (Nyl.) Parrique, Polyblastia rupifraga A. Massal., Polyblastia umbrina (Schaer.) Rostr. var. calcarea (Nyl.) Boistel

Lichenised.

Substrate: calciferous rocks

Altitudinal range: from the submediterranean/colline belt (potential vegetation: mixed deciduous forests dominated by Quercus and Carpinus) to the alpine belt (potential vegetation: treeless Alpine grasslands and tundras, to the lower limit of perennial snow and the equilibrium line of glaciers)

Note: a probably arctic-alpine species found on hard limestones and dolomite, with optimum near and above treeline; widespread throughout the Alps.