Eleven new records of lichens to the state of Kerala, India

The present paper deals with new records of lichen species from the state of Kerala, India. The study was conducted as part of the exploration of lichen mycota from the croplands and forests of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. Field study and collection of specimens were conducted during the period 2017-2019. Specimens were identified using standard procedures, keys and literature followed by preservation and deposition in the recognized herbaria of the country (LWG and RHK). Eleven species of lichens, Cladonia praetermissa A.W. Archer, Collema japonicum (Müll. Arg.) Hue, Heterodermia hypochraea (Vain.) Swinscow & Krog, Leptogium coralloideum (Meyen & Flot.) Vain., Pannaria emodii P.M. Jørg., Phyllopsora chlorophaea (Müll. Arg.) Zahlbr., Phyllopsora parvifolia var. subgranulosa (Tuck.) Müll. Arg., Physcia dilatata Nyl., Physcia dubia (Hoffm.) Lettau, Physcia sorediosa (Vain.) Lynge, and Pseudocyphellaria clathrata (De Not.) Malme are being reported for the first time from Kerala. These are enumerated along with their present distribution. This study further enriches the lichen diversity of the state.