LICHALP

Caloplaca holocarpa (Hoffm) A.E. Wade

Syn.: Athallia holocarpa (Hoffm.) Arup, Frödén & Søchting, Callopisma aurantiacum (Lightf.) A. Massal. var. holocarpum (Hoffm.) A. Massal., Caloplaca aurantiaca (Lightf.) Th. Fr. var. holocarpa (Hoffm.) Th. Fr., Caloplaca pyracea (Ach.) Zwackh var. holocarpa (Hoffm.) Th. Fr., Placodium aurantiacum (Lightf.) Anzi var. holocarpum (Hoffm.) Anzi, Placodium pyraceum (Ach.) Anzi var. holocarpum (Hoffm.) Anzi, Verrucaria holocarpa Hoffm.

Lichenised. Poorly known taxon.

Substrate: lignum, siliceous rocks

Altitudinal range: from the mesomediterranean belt (potential vegetation: evergreen broad-leaved forests dominated by Quercus ilex) 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 is a silicicolous, rarely lignicolous species of more or less eutrophicated habitats, mostly found on the top of isolated boulders. The epithet holocarpa, however, has been widely used for different lichens occurring both on bark and on calcareous rocks. Many records from the Alps could refer to other species.