Psoroma inflatum, a new alpine lichen from New Zealand

Abstract

<i>Psoroma inflatum</i> sp. nov. is described from mountains in Canterbury and Otago in New Zealand’s South Island. It is related to <i>P. hypnorum</i>, but differs in having a strongly inflated and glossy thallus. The squamules are prostrate, ascending or erect, and form brown, coarsely coralloid patches. They lack a dorsiventral morphology and anatomy, in contrast to other Psoroma species, except that the lower sides of ascending lobes are less pigmented and have a white tomentum on the cortex, which is less pigmented, thicker and with elongated lumina. The genus <i>Psoroma</i> is currently considered to include 11 species in New Zealand, but it is poorly known and very likely includes even more undescribed taxa.