Bryologist 112, 1: 145 (2009).
Type locality: Sweden, Lapponia (H-ACH 1859B - lectotype). Lectotypification by Howe, Mycologia 3: 150, Pl. 45, (1911).
Type locality coordinates: Data lacking.
Molecular barcode: Data lacking.
Thallus: erect or partly decumbent, to 8 cm long; bicolorous, basal parts pale grey to pinkish grey, apical parts dark grey to black; main branches distinct, branches mainly terete, basal parts becoming ?attened, to 1.5 mm wide. Soralia very rare. Pseudocyphellae conspicuous, usually abundant, concave to slightly convex, white, fusiform to ?ssural, to 1 mm long. Apothecia very rare, to 2 mm diam. Spores simple, usually 2 per ascus, rarely 4, colourless as young, becoming reddish brown, 20- 40 x 12- 25 μm.
Photobiont: Data lacking.
Chemistry: Thallus C+ red, K+ faintly yellow, KC+ red, PD+ yellow; alectorialic acid and usually barbatolic acid.
Ecology: Terricolous on tundra soil, or on rocks. Often together with Alectoria ochroleuca and Bryocaulon divergens. Rarely on shrubs and tree bases.
Distribution Type: Locally abundant in the northem mountains and tundra. Present in Europe, Asia, Australasia, North and South America, Antarctica Arctic-alpine.
Taxonomy: Data lacking.
Note:
Lichens of the Pacific Northwest