Lepraria lobificans

Lepraria lobificans is a species of leprose lichen in the family Stereocaulaceae. The species was first described in 1873 by the Finnish lichenologist William Nylander from specimens collected in France. It typically grows on bark, rock, and mossy substrates in shaded, humid forest environments. It is characterised by its cottony texture, weakly developed lobes, and chemical composition including atranorin and stictic acid. Molecular studies have since shown that Lepraria lobificans sensu stricto is genetically distinct from the closely related and more widespread L. finkii, with which it was previously confused. The species has been reported from Europe, Asia, and the Americas, though many historical records from the Southern Hemisphere likely represent L. finkii.