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Data Set Maintenance: Data set standard item. Data set author(s): Rambold G. Data set reviewer(s): Wedin M. (95-11-27); revised; to be published after submission.

Nomenclature: Current taxonomic status: accepted or basionymous. Taxonomic rank: genus. Number of known taxa within this rank: 1. Leifidium. Sphaerophoraceae Fr. (1831); family of unknown placement (incertae sedis); Lecanorales.

Taxonomic Literature: Tibell L., Symb. Bot. Upsal. 27(1): 1-279 [254-256] (1987) - sub Sphaerophorus; Galloway D.J., Flora of New Zealand Lichens: i-lxxiii, 1-662 [536], Wellington (1985) - sub Sphaerophorus; Wedin M., Pl. Syst. Evol. 187: 213-241 (1993); Wedin M., Symb. Bot. Upsal. 31(1): 1-102 [87-91] (1995).

Ecology: Biotroph; lichenized; terricolous, lignicolous, or corticolous; substrate non-calciferous.

Lichen Photobionts: Primary photobiont present; chlorococcal. Secondary photobiont absent.

Thallus: Fruticose, not subdivided parts. Upper Surface: Brown, grey, brownish yellow, or white; special structures absent. Lower Surface: Attached by holdfasts; special structures absent.

Medulla: Iodine reaction in Lugol's solution negative; not different with or without KOH pre-treatment (euamyloid).

Reproduction Strategy: Only known as sterile, asexually reproducing form or with sexual (and possible asexual) stages. Ascocarps: Apothecioid, orbicular, forming directly at the tip of the thallus parts, soon sessile to stipitate. Margin: Indistinct to prominent; external filaments absent. Exciple: Black. Periphyses: Absent. Hymenium: Mazaedioid. Interascal Hyphae: Present, scarcely branched, not or scarcely anastomosed. Hypothecium: Black or brown.

Ascospores: c. 8 per ascus, globose, 5.5-10 µm long, 5.5-10 µm wide, obtuse; septa absent; wall thin, not thickened at the septum, hyaline or pale brown, in Lugol's Solution negative, wall not ornamented or ornamented.

Conidiomata: Absent resp. not observed or present; pycnidial; immersed, formed all accross the thallus surface or along the thallus periphery.

Secondary Metabolites: Not detected or present, of the following substance class(es): orcinol depsides.

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