The Cladonia chlorophaea-C. fimbriata Complex in Western Washington

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Abstract
Members of the C. chlorophaea-C. fimbriata complex were collected in western Washington in the summer of 1979 to examine their secondary product chemistry, morphology and distribution. Eight chemotypes were identified, including 4 that had not previously been reported from this region and one characterized by the production of 4-O-methylcryptochloropheic acid as the major secondary product that is new. Specimens producing only fumarprotocetraric acid in this region could be separated into 2 groups on the basis of morphology. The 1st group was characterized by the production of granular soredia, short trumpet-shaped podetia and compound apothecia, and was referred to C. chlorophaea s.s. The 2nd group had farinose soredia, goblet-shaped podetia with dentate margins, and simple apothecia, and was referred to C. fimbriata (L.). These 2 spp. are the most abundant and widespread members of this complex in western Washington and were collected from all habitats from which collections were made. Most of the remaining chemotypes could also be divided into 2 groups according to chemistry, morphology, and distribution. Two chemotypes produced closely related fatty acids, rangiformic acid and protolichesterinic acid as their major secondary products and exhibited a close morphological affinity to C. fimbriata on the basis of their farinose soredia, podetial shape and simple apothecia. In addition, these 2 chemotypes were collected more frequently from woody substrates and forestes areas than the other members of this complex. Three of the chemotypes contained the closely related orcinol meta-depsides merochloropheic acid, 4-O-methylcryptochlorophaeic acid and sekikaic acid as their major secondary products. These chemotypes had large trumpet-shaped podetia, granular to corticate soredia, and compound apothecia. Specimens of this group were collected predominately from open areas, especially the natural prairies that occur in southwestern Washington. In fact, the sekikaic acid chemotype is apparently restricted to these prairies in this part of its range. Excluded from these 2 groups are 2 remaining chemotypes that product bourgeanic acid and atranorin, respectively.

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