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

Vizcaíno Peninsula, Sierra Hornitos, Spjut 9704A, May 1986

Isla Cedros, Spjut & Marin, Apr 1989

7 mi S of Rosarito along Hwy 1, Spjut 10511, Apr 1989

Map showing collection sites

Illustration of TLC data for species of Niebla

     Niebla spatulata is recognized by having hypoprotocetraric acid acid and by the development of flattened thallus segments.  It has been collected from four different sites; most of the specimens, thus far, are from the Vizcaíno Peninsula.  All collections have been found occurring with N. flabellata—one that might be interpreted as a true sibling (chemical) species, or chemical variant.  However, such sibling species are rare in Niebla, at least in Baja California.  Most chemical related species, such as  the divaricatic N. turgida and sekikaic N. suffnessii, for example, have partially overlapping morphological types and appear parapatric rather than sympatric.  I refer to such species pairs as near sibling species.  Given the limited number of collections for N. spatulata, and the strong evidence for phytogeographic relationships among chemotypes in the genus, it seems best to treat N. spatulata as a distinct species from N. flabellata, a practice that is consistent with the taxonomy presented for the genus (Spjut 1996).  One other hypoprotocetaric acid species, N. brachyura, which differs by the more prismatic branches with a thicker cortex, was found to be commonly associated with either N. arenaria, or with N. caespitosa, N. flagelliforma, and N. flabellata.