Niebla dissecta

©The World Botanical Associates Web Page
Prepared by Richard W. Spjut
November 2005

Niebla and Vermilacinia (Ramalinaceae) from California and Baja California.  
Spjut, R.W., 1996. ISSN 0833-1475, 208 pp.  
Sida, Botanical Miscellany 14. Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Inc.

San Mateo Co., CA,
Howe N.A.L. 92  
Type (US)

Santa Barbara Island
Bratt 3705, Oct 1983

Santa Barbara Island
Bratt 3710, Oct 1983

Santa Cruz Island, CA
Bratt 2306, Feb 1982

 

San Cruz Island, CA
Bratt 8069, June 1992

 

Santa Barbara Island, CA
Bratt 3714, Oct 1986

Santa Barbara Island
Bratt 3709, Oct 1983

 

Santa Barbara Island, CA
Bratt 4826, Oct 1985
     Niebla dissecta is primarily a California species recognized by the presence of the lichen substance, sekikaic acid, and by its low spreading habit with apical, sub-equal bifurcate (two-forked), prismatic branchlets.  The low spreading habit distinguishes it from another related sekikaic-acid species, N. disrupta, which is recognized to have long blade-like branches that arise from a relatively narrow holdfast.  The main branches of N. disrupta usually have single shorter, narrower branchlets.  The bifurcate branchlets of N. dissecta diverge at wide angles, compared to other species in the genus, and are relatively thick and long.  The type, from mainland California, has bifurcate branchlets arising from dilated-flattened segments in contrast to uniformly narrow segments for most specimens from the Channel Islands.  

     The cortical ridging appears variable in this species as evident in Bratt 3709 and Bratt 4826 from Santa Barbara Island. 

     Niebla dissecta appears closely related to Niebla testudinaria, which is distinguished by having divaricatic acid instead of sekikaic acid; however, N. testudinaria is seen as being more consistent in its cortical feature of reticulate ridging.  The two species appear partly sympatric.