Presència de Letharia vulpina (L.) Hue a les Valls d'Andorra

(ENG) Letharia vulpina is a very colourful lichen and has been found in Andorra near the peak of Montmalús, at 2,400 m above sea level, on the trunk of black mountain pine (Pinus uncinata) stripped of its bark. This species is threatened and has already disappeared from the flora of the Czech Republic, Finland, Poland, Rumania and Ukraine. The only countries where it does not seem to be in danger of extinction are Norway, Sweden and Austria, although it is only found in specific areas. As it is colourful it is easily identifiable and due to its distribution area diminishing, it was chosen, together with Menegazzia terebrata, to be included in the project "Lichen mapping in Europe" (Trass 1998), to map out its distribution area in Europe. The existence of this lichen in Andorra considerably enriches the natural heritage of the country and represents an object of pride as well as a responsibility for its citizens.