Lepraria achariana
Lepraria achariana is a species of leprose lichen in the family Stereocaulaceae. It occurs at high elevations in Bolivia.
Taxonomy
It was described as new to science by the lichenologists Adam Flakus and Martin Kukwa in 2007. The type specimen was collected in Bolivia, within the La Paz Department, Manco Kapac Province. The collection site is located on Mount Horca del Inca, near the village of Copacabana, at an elevation of. The specimen was found in a high Andean Puna vegetation zone, growing on rock. It was gathered on 18 June 2006 by Flakus and is deposited as the holotype in the KRAM-L herbarium.Description
Like other members of the genus Lepraria, this lichen forms a powdery, crust-like growth that never develops fruiting bodies. The thallus has a diffuse edge and lacks. While it does not have a true inner layer, it typically has a well-developed loose, cottony base layer that is white or shows patches of orange colouration. The reproductive structures consist of abundant fine powder-like up to 45 μm in diameter. These soredia typically cluster together into larger groups up to 75–150 μm across.The species contains lecanoric acid and roccellic/angardianic acids. It may also contain from two to four unidentified anthraquinone compounds. When tested with common lichen chemical spot tests, it is K− or shows a purple reaction on its underside, C+, KC+, and Pd−.