LICHALP

Rhizocarpon intermediellum Räsänen

Syn.: Rhizocarpon wulffianum Räsänen

Lichenised. Poorly known taxon.

Substrate:

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 species morphologically resembling Rh. norvegicum, but ascospores submuriform, larger (to 20 µm long), with 1-4 transversal septa and 1 incomplete longitudinal septum; the specific difference from Rh. furax is in need of critical re-evaluation; on basic siliceous rocks (e.g. amphibolite) and schists with low content of calcium in exposed situations, often on pebbles in wind-swept ridges, parasitic on various crustose lichens (incl. species of Bellemerea, Lecidea, Buellia sect. Melanaspicilia, Tremolecia) in the early stages of development; widespread in Europe, arctic to nemoral-alpine; from the Alps there are several scattered records, but apparently the species was overlooked in some regions.