Preliminary version 1 August 2012
Ramalina melanothrix Laurer
in Nyl., Syn. Lich.: 290 (1858).
Synonym: Index Fungorum
Desmazieria melanothrix (Laurer) C.W. Dodge 1971
Trichoramalina melanothrix (Laurer) Rundel & Bowler 1974
Type: South Africa, Western Cape, Cape of Good Hope "Promontoria Bonae Spei", Drege (UPS, FH).
Coordinates: 34°21'29"S, 18°28'20"E
Thallus: caespitose, up to 2 cm broad. Branches terete, bedoming flattened and more or less ribbed with age; longitudinal splitting in cortex may form elongate "pseudocyphellae" on flattened branches; apices attenuate. Cilia black, restricted to branch tips, typically simple and unbranched. Cortex smooth and shiny, thick (75 - 130 µm). Medulla relatively thin (40 % of cross-sectional thickness). Apothecia lateral, 1 - 3 mm broad. Hymenium 38 - 44 µm. Spores ellipsoid, straight, uniseptate, 4 - 7 / 10 - 19 µm. Pycnidia black (Rundel & Bowler 1974: 194).
Chemistry: Medulla K-, P-, C-, KC-. Cortex with usnic acid (TLC) (Rundel & Bowler 1974: 194).
Ecology: On branches of shrubs in coastal fog zone.
Molecular data: Genbank
Distribution: Atlantic coast of South Africa from Cape Town to Port Nolloth.Database
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