Three new Xanthoria species from South Africa: X. hirsuta, X. inflata and X. doidgeae

Abstract

Three new <jats:italic>Xanthoria</jats:italic> species are described from South Africa. <jats:italic>Xanthoria hirsuta</jats:italic> sp. nov. has hairs on the surface of the thallus and apothecia, best visible in young, growing parts. Dust particles and sand granules stick to this hairy surface, giving the thallus a somewhat dirty appearance. <jats:italic>Xanthoria inflata</jats:italic> sp. nov. has inflated lobes similar to a <jats:italic>Menegazzia</jats:italic>. It carries numerous crystals on its medullary hyphae, which are ivory-coloured in young, but intensely orange coloured in old lobes. <jats:italic>Xanthoria doidgeae</jats:italic> sp. nov. has relatively small lobes with pruinose margins. All three species are fertile, none of them forms symbiotic propagules.