Niebla effusa

Niebla effusa was first recognized as a distinct species from a related species, Niebla josecuervoi, before it was described as a result of collecting lichen samples near Cerro Solo in northern Baja California for a biodiversity screening of lichens—in the search of new drugs by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Natural Products Branch to treat HIV. It was distinguished by its habit of growing on the ground in contrast to N. josecuervoi growing on a vertical face of a large bounder with Niebla eburnea and Vermilacinia procera. A sample of 68 grams of Niebla josecuervoi was submitted to the NCI on 8 February 1986, but not of N. effusa.^[2] based on its thalli with a holdfast.

Niebla effusa seems to have been recognized earlier as a terricolous species that forms extensive mats “on beach terrace deposits atop coastal bluffs south of El Rosario and beyond, often in densities great enough to color the landscape yellow-green," based on study of lichen communities further north around Bahía de San Quintín.^[3] However, the terricolous species around Bahía de San Quintín is largely N. arenaria, whereas further south N. effusa is common.^[1] These species were recognized as Niebla pulchribarbara, which the type reportedly contained protocetraric acid, a rare chemotype for the genus not found south of Bahía de San Quintín.^[1] Another terricolous species, containing sekikaic acid, occurred at Bahía de San Quintín,^[3] described as Niebla palmeri.^[1]

Niebla effusa is a characteristic lichen of the transition zone from the California Floristic Province to the Northern Vizcaíno Desert.^[1] The species has been included under a broader concept, Niebla josecuervoi, one that also includes Niebla pulchribarbara and many other species of Niebla^[4]

• World Botanical Associates, Niebla effusa, retrieved 20 Dec 2014