Lichens of tawhiti rahi, poor knights islands, northern New Zealand

Abstract

Ninety-five lichen species from 34 genera are recorded from Tawhiti Rahi, Poor Knights Islands. The lichen communities are briefly described. The lichen flora has a diversity comparable to many other northern New Zealand offshore islands, although the maritime element of the flora is somewhat reduced and the coastal forest element is considerably richer than most. These differences are considered to be a reflection of the more exposed location of the Poor Knights and the more open nature of the regenerating pohutukawa — kanuka coastal forest. The maritime lichen Kuttlingeria macquariensis is recorded over 1000 km farther north than its previously known occurrences. © 1982 Journal of the Royal Society if New Zealand.