description Caloplaca holocarpa Overview
Caloplaca holocarpa is a small crustose lichen in the Teloschistaceae, but the name has been used for a difficult and variable group of similar taxa. The thallus is often poorly developed or nearly absent, while the conspicuous apothecia range from yellow to orange or orange-red and are usually small. It is recorded on bark, wood, stone, and other exposed substrates, but identification requires care because the traditional species concept is broad and taxonomic treatments differ.
help Caloplaca holocarpa FAQ
Why is Caloplaca holocarpa difficult to identify?
Caloplaca holocarpa has been used for a variable group of similar taxa, so the name can cover more than one appearance in older records. Molecular and microscopic work has shown that the holocarpa group contains cryptic diversity within the family Teloschistaceae. [The Lichenologist](https://botanika.prf.jcu.cz/lichenology/honza/publications/Lich2012_1.pdf)
What does Caloplaca holocarpa look like if the thallus is almost absent?
The main body may be a thin grayish film or nearly invisible, while the yellow, orange, or orange-red apothecia stand out clearly. In some descriptions, the small apothecia are only about 0.3 to 0.5 millimeter across, so a hand lens is useful. [NatureSpot](https://www.naturespot.org/species/caloplaca-holocarpa)
Is Caloplaca holocarpa the same name as Athallia holocarpa?
The names are used differently by taxonomic sources, and Athallia holocarpa is one modern combination applied to material historically called Caloplaca holocarpa. A catalog record should preserve the original name but can add Athallia holocarpa as a synonym for searching. [Lichens Maritimes](https://www.lichensmaritimes.org/?lang=en&lichen=725&task=fiche)
Where does Caloplaca holocarpa grow, and is it a leafy lichen?
Caloplaca holocarpa is a crustose lichen, meaning its thallus is tightly attached to the substrate rather than forming leafy lobes. Records place the group on hard substrates such as rock, with orange apothecia often more obvious than the thallus itself. [Biota of New Zealand](https://biotanz.landcareresearch.co.nz/scientific-names/303988a5-a07c-44d7-9cbe-91305e29b46c)
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