LICHALP

Polyblastia microcarpa (Arnold) Lettau

Syn.: Polyblastia cupularis A. Massal. f. microcarpa Arnold, Polyblastia cupularis A. Massal. var. microcarpa (Arnold) ined.

Lichenised. Poorly known taxon.

Substrate: calciferous rocks, intermediate rocks (such as calciferous schists)

Altitudinal range: from the montane belt (potential vegetation: deciduous forests dominated by Fagus sylvatica and closed coniferous forests with Picea abies) 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: this species differs from P. cupularis only in the smaller perithecia, but no valid name is available at the varietal rank, which would perhaps be more appropriate; on base-rich or calcareous rocks in sheltered situations, with optimum near or above treeline.