Baculifera confusa

Baculifera confusa is a species of lignicolous (wood-dwelling), crustose lichen in the family Caliciaceae. It is found in Australia.

Taxonomy
Baculifera confusa was formally described as a new species in 2020 by Australian lichenologist the John Elix. The species name confusa follows from its previous confusion with Baculifera xylophila. The type locality of Baculifera confusa was collected in South Australia at Murray Park Flora and Fauna Reserve, Murray Bridge. It was found at an altitude of 30 m, growing on dead wood in remnant mallee scrub with Callitris and Eucalyptus. The holotype was collected by the author on 31 December 2005.

Description
The thallus of Baculifera confusa is crustose, and not apparent, or, extending up to approximately 15 mm wide. It varies in colour from pale grey to dark brown and is up to 100 μm thick. The lichen has a or rimose-areolate texture, with  measuring 0.1–0.4 mm wide. The lichen does not produce soredia, and the is, black when abutting other lichens, or not apparent. The lacks calcium oxalate, and the  cells are 10–20 μm wide.

The species is similar to Baculifera xylophila, but it can be distinguished by its colourless to pale yellow-brown, smaller measuring 11–17 by 6–8 μm, and shorter , 5–6 μm long.

Habitat and distribution
Baculifera confusa is found on dead wood in inland areas of southern Western Australia, South Australia, and New South Wales. It often coexists with other lichen species such as Amandinea extenuata, Austromelanelixia piliferella, Austroparmelina conlabrosa, A. pseudorelicina, Buellia reagenella, Flavoparmelia rutidota, Japewiella variabilis, Physcia jackii, Ramboldia brunneocarpa, and Usnea inermis.