E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia

Ahtiana sphaerosporella (Müll. Arg.) Goward
Mountain candlewax
Parmeliaceae

Introduction to the Lichens

© Daryl Thompson  Email the photographer   (Photo ID #22111)

E-Flora BC Static Map
Distribution of Ahtiana sphaerosporella
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Consortium of North American Lichen Herbaria map

Species Information

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Illustration By: Trevor Goward

General:
A small to medium stratified foliose lichen, corticate above and below, neither sorediate nor isidiate, lobes closely appressed, short to subrotund, averaging to 2–3 (–4) mm wide, thin. Upper surface pale yellowish green (except blackish in exposed sites), shiny. Lower surface whitish to pale tan, bearing sparse to abundant short, simple rhizines. Medulla white. Photobiont green. Apothecia located over upper surface, disc brown; spores simple, spherical, colourless, 8 per ascus.

Notes: Ahtiana is a monotypic genus. It was formerly included within Parmelia, but is more closely related to Cetraria (in the broad sense).
Reactions:
Medulla C+ reddish to orangish, KC+ reddish.
Contents:
Olivetoric acid.

Source: Lichens of British Columbia

Habitat / Range

Habitat: Frequent over whitebark pine, rare over other conifers, in open intermontane subalpine forests
World Distribution: western N Am, N to BC (rarely to NWT), S to CA.

Source: Lichens of British Columbia

Synonyms and Alternate Names

Parmelia sphaerosporella Müll. Arg.

Taxonomic and Nomenclatural Links

Additional Range and Status Information Links

Additional Photo Sources

General References