Xanthoparmelia cranfieldii
Xanthoparmelia cranfieldii is a species of foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae, first described by John Elix in 2003. It is known only from its type locality in Western Australia.
Taxonomy
Xanthoparmelia cranfieldii is a member of the genus Xanthoparmelia, which is characterised by its, or leaf-like, thalli that adhere closely to the on which they grow. This species is named in honour of Ray Cranfield, an Australian botanist who collected the type specimen.Description
The thallus of Xanthoparmelia cranfieldii is closely to the, typically measuring 2–3 cm in width. The of the thallus are flat, ranging from 0.6 to 1.2 mm wide, with subirregular to sublinear shapes that may branch more or less dichotomously. The upper surface of the thallus is yellow-green, becoming darker with age, and features a shiny texture near the lobe tips. The surface becomes, cracked, and as it ages, adorned with white spots. Notably, the lichen develops distinctive isidia—small outgrowths that can disperse the lichen's algae—which are roughly cylindrical to somewhat cylindrical and can become sorediate, meaning they crumble into powdery s for reproduction.The lower surface is ivory to pale brown, with rhizines that are sparse to moderately dense and brown in colour. The lichen does not produce apothecia or pycnidia.