Stereocaulon alpinum Laurer
in Funck, Crypt. Gewächse, 33: 6, 1827.
Synonyms: Stereocaulon alpinum var. erectum Frey; Stereocaulon paschale var. alpinum (Laurer) Mudd; Stereocaulon tomentosum var. alpinum (Laurer) Th. Fr.
Description: Primary thallus crustose, granular-warted, ephemeral, usually absent in mature individuals, secondary thallus fruticose, forming low, flat cushions. Pseudopodetia rather firmly attached, elongate, prostrate to mostly ascending, 1-4 cm tall, 0.5-1(-2) mm thick at base, sparingly branched, terete, dorsiventral, with a solid cartilaginous axis of parallel hyphae surrounded by a lax medulla and with a pale pink tomentum especially on the lower surface. Phyllocladia crowded towards the apices of pseudopodetia, whitish-grey, at first granuliform or united, then somehow flattened and minutely lobed, to 0.5 mm broad. Cephalodia scarce, mainly on the lower side of pseudopodetia, globose, 0.3-0.8 mm across, pale purple or bluish green, with Nostoc, scarcely visible because often embedded in the tomentum. Apothecia rare, without a thalline margin, terminal, with a dark brown, convex disc and a thin, indistinct proper margin. Proper exciple brown in outer part, colourless within; epithecium brown, K-; hymenium colourless; paraphyses simple, 1.7-2.0 µm thick, the apical cells capitate, 3-4 µm wide, with a dark cap; hypothecium colourless. Asci 8-spored, cylindrical-clavate, with a K/I+ blue outer layer and apical dome, and a central, K/I+ darker blue tube, Porpidia-type. Ascospores mainly 3-septate, hyaline, cylindrical with one end narrower, 27-38 x 2.5-3 µm. Pycnidia dark, immersed. Conidia bacilliform, straight. Main photobiont chlorococcoid. Spot tests: K+ yellow, C-, KC- or KC+ violet (reaction often difficult to observe macroscopically, best evident on acetone extract on filter paper!), P+ faintly yellow, UV+ blue-white. Chemistry: atranorin and lobaric acid.
Growth form: Fruticose
Substrata: soil, terricolous mosses, and plant debris
Photobiont: green algae other than Trentepohlia (primary); cyanobacteria, filamentous (e.g. Nostoc, Scytonema) (secundary, e.g. in cephalodia)
Reproductive strategy: mainly sexual
Pioneer species
Commonnes-rarity: (info)
Alpine belt: rare
Subalpine belt: rare
Montane belt: absent
Dry submediterranean belt: absent
Humid submediterranean belt: absent
Padanian area: absent
pH of the substrata:
1 2 3 4 5
Solar irradiation:
1 2 3 4 5
Aridity:
1 2 3 4 5
Eutrophication:
1 2 3 4 5
Poleotolerance:
0 1 2 3
Altitudinal distribution:
1 2 3 4 5 6
Rarity
absent
extremely rare
very rare
rare
rather rare
rather common
common
very common
extremely common
Loading data...
Occurrence data
Predictive map
Current prediction (1981-2010)
Future prediction (2071-2100) SSP 1-2.6
Future prediction (2071-2100) SSP 5-8.5Predictive maps according to Francesconi et al. 2025
Juri Nascimbene - CC BY-SA 4.0
Stelvio National Park, Reg. Trentino-Alto Adige Prov. Trento, Italy.
07.2005

Juri Nascimbene - CC BY-SA 4.0
Stelvio National Park, Reg. Trentino-Alto Adige Prov. Trento, Italy.
07.2005

Juri Nascimbene - CC BY-SA 4.0
Stelvio National Park, Reg. Trentino-Alto Adige Prov. Trento, Italy.
07.2005

Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_S/Text_S/Stereocaulon_alpinum.htm
France, 14/9/2015 - Flaines, les grandes platières - Haute-Savoie

Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_S/Text_S/Stereocaulon_alpinum.htm
France, 14/9/2015 - Flaines, les grandes platières - Haute-Savoie

Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_S/Text_S/Stereocaulon_alpinum.htm
France, 14/9/2015 - Flaines, les grandes platières - Haute-Savoie

Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_S/Text_S/Stereocaulon_alpinum.htm
France, 14/9/2015 - Flaines, les grandes platières - Haute-Savoie

Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_S/Text_S/Stereocaulon_alpinum.htm
France, 14/9/2015 - Flaines, les grandes platières - Haute-Savoie

Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_S/Text_S/Stereocaulon_alpinum.htm
France, 14/9/2015 - Flaines, les grandes platières - Haute-Savoie

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb
der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F.
Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb
der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F.
Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb
der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F.
Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb
der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F.
Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb
der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F.
Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb
der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F.
Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb
der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F.
Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb
der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F.
Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb
der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F.
Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb
der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F.
Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb
der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F.
Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb
der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F.
Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb
der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F.
Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[21073], Austria, Kärnten (=Carinthia), Eastern Alps, Styrian Fringe
Mountains (=Steirisches Randgebirge), Koralpe, 11 km southeast of the
centre of Wolfsberg, 380 m west-southwest of the summit of "Großer
Speikkogel", path from Koralpenhaus in direction to Krakaberg, siliceous
boulders, on ground amongst Calluna vulgaris. Leg. H. Mayrhofer
(nr. 21898), 24.09.2020, det. H. Mayrhofer, 2020. TLC: Atranorin,
lobaric acid, fatty acid (bourgeanic acid ?). Ex: OBERMAYER W.: DUPLA
CRAECANSIA LICHENUM NR. 1274.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[21073], Austria, Kärnten (=Carinthia), Eastern Alps, Styrian Fringe
Mountains (=Steirisches Randgebirge), Koralpe, 11 km southeast of the
centre of Wolfsberg, 380 m west-southwest of the summit of "Großer
Speikkogel", path from Koralpenhaus in direction to Krakaberg, siliceous
boulders, on ground amongst Calluna vulgaris. Leg. H. Mayrhofer
(nr. 21898), 24.09.2020, det. H. Mayrhofer, 2020. TLC: Atranorin,
lobaric acid, fatty acid (bourgeanic acid ?). Ex: OBERMAYER W.: DUPLA
CRAECANSIA LICHENUM NR. 1274.
Growth form: Fruticose
Substrata: soil, terricolous mosses, and plant debris
Photobiont: green algae other than Trentepohlia (primary); cyanobacteria, filamentous (e.g. Nostoc, Scytonema) (secundary, e.g. in cephalodia)
Reproductive strategy: mainly sexual
Pioneer species
Commonnes-rarity: (info)
Alpine belt: rare
Subalpine belt: rare
Montane belt: absent
Dry submediterranean belt: absent
Humid submediterranean belt: absent
Padanian area: absent
pH of the substrata:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Solar irradiation:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Aridity:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Eutrophication:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Poleotolerance:
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Altitudinal distribution:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Rarity
absent
extremely rare
very rare
rare
rather rare
rather common
common
very common
extremely common
Loading data...
Occurrence data
Predictive map



Predictive maps according to Francesconi et al. 2025

Juri Nascimbene - CC BY-SA 4.0
Stelvio National Park, Reg. Trentino-Alto Adige Prov. Trento, Italy.
07.2005

Juri Nascimbene - CC BY-SA 4.0
Stelvio National Park, Reg. Trentino-Alto Adige Prov. Trento, Italy.
07.2005

Juri Nascimbene - CC BY-SA 4.0
Stelvio National Park, Reg. Trentino-Alto Adige Prov. Trento, Italy.
07.2005

Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_S/Text_S/Stereocaulon_alpinum.htm
France, 14/9/2015 - Flaines, les grandes platières - Haute-Savoie

Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_S/Text_S/Stereocaulon_alpinum.htm
France, 14/9/2015 - Flaines, les grandes platières - Haute-Savoie

Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_S/Text_S/Stereocaulon_alpinum.htm
France, 14/9/2015 - Flaines, les grandes platières - Haute-Savoie

Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_S/Text_S/Stereocaulon_alpinum.htm
France, 14/9/2015 - Flaines, les grandes platières - Haute-Savoie

Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_S/Text_S/Stereocaulon_alpinum.htm
France, 14/9/2015 - Flaines, les grandes platières - Haute-Savoie

Courtesy Danièle et Olivier Gonnet - Source: https://www.afl-lichenologie.fr/Photos_AFL/Photos_AFL_S/Text_S/Stereocaulon_alpinum.htm
France, 14/9/2015 - Flaines, les grandes platières - Haute-Savoie

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F. Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F. Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F. Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F. Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F. Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F. Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F. Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F. Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F. Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F. Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F. Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F. Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[2757], Schweiz, Oberaar, Zingenstock, Südhang, großer Wang, innerhalb der 1860 Moräne des Oberaargletschers, ca. 2320 m. Leg. F. Schumm 24.08.1979 (BLAM-Exkursion), det. F. Schumm 1979.

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 4.0
[21073], Austria, Kärnten (=Carinthia), Eastern Alps, Styrian Fringe Mountains (=Steirisches Randgebirge), Koralpe, 11 km southeast of the centre of Wolfsberg, 380 m west-southwest of the summit of "Großer Speikkogel", path from Koralpenhaus in direction to Krakaberg, siliceous boulders, on ground amongst Calluna vulgaris. Leg. H. Mayrhofer (nr. 21898), 24.09.2020, det. H. Mayrhofer, 2020. TLC: Atranorin, lobaric acid, fatty acid (bourgeanic acid ?). Ex: OBERMAYER W.: DUPLA CRAECANSIA LICHENUM NR. 1274.
