Unusual lichens under electricity pylons on zinc-enriched soil

Two species of lichens, Vezdaea leprosa (P. James) Vezda and Steinia geopha na (Nyl.) B. Stein are here reported as new for North America based on coll ections from Durham and Orange Counties, North Carolina (U.S.A.). Both spec ies occur frequently in the area on zinc-contaminated soils below galvanize d electricity pylons. The species were not found in areas between pylons, s uggesting a central role for elevated substrate zinc levels in determining the local distribution of these species. This inference is consistent with the ecology of these species in Britain and Europe.