The distribution of the two chemical varieties of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea in Italy

The Italian distribution of the two chemical varieties of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea (var. ceratea with olivetoric acid and var. furfuracea without olivetoric acid) is studied on the basis of 329 samples. Var. furfuracea is most common in the beech belt, under humid climate conditions, var. ceratea in more continental areas, such as the subalpine belt of the Alps. Differences in substrata depend on the presence of different trees in humid and continental areas.