Xanthoparmelia aliphatica

Xanthoparmelia aliphatica is a species of saxicolous (rock-dwelling), foliose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. Found in South Africa, it was formally described as a new species in 1986 by the American lichenologist Mason Hale. The type specimen was collected from the Cape Province at an elevation of about 900 m (3,000 ft); there, it was found growing on granitic outcrops in karoo habitat. The lichen contains the secondary metabolites (lichen products) constipatic acid, various associated fatty acids, and...