The areoles of R. leptolepis are red-brown, brown to black-brown, peltate and slightly convex, with a characteristic, up to 30 µm thick, epinecral layer. They are scattered on a well-developed black prothallus. The apothecia are large, black, slightly constricted at the base and placed outside the areoles. Usually, eight multicellular spores are formed and turn brown when fully mature. Friesiic acid, UV+, has been detected in the thallus (Elix & Tønsberg 2004). A related compound has been confirmed by TLC from a Czech collection, too (Palice, unpubl.).
Rhizocarpon leptolepis has a boreal-montane to arctic-alpine distribution. It is often found on vertical surfaces of siliceous rocks, protected from the wind. It is more common in Scandinavia and the Alps, but is also known, e.g., from Corsica. The species is very rare in the Czech Republic. It has only been recorded from the Černé jezero and Plešné jezero glacial cirques and from the top of Trojmezná Mt in the Šumava Mts.
Literature: Feuerer T. (1991): Revision der europäischen Arten der Flechtengattung Rhizocarpon mit nichtgelbem Lager und vielzelligen Sporen. – Bibliotheca Lichenologica 39: 1–218. Palice Z. (1999): New and noteworthy records of lichens in the Czech Republic. – Preslia 71: 289–336. Elix J. A. & Tønsberg T. (2004): Notes on the chemistry of some lichens, including four species of Lepraria. – Graphis Scripta 16: 43–45.
taxonomic classification:Ascomycota → Lecanoromycetes → Rhizocarpales → Rhizocarpaceae → Rhizocarpon
All records: 3, confirmed 3. One click on a selected square displays particular record(s), including their source(s).