Cladonia

BACK TO Back To Homepage

Two species of Cladonia are illusrated here , it is tenuously suggested that the second shown is Cladonia polydacta and the first Cladonia chlorophaea

The red hats are the sexual fruiting structure of the lichen, the apothecia. This specimes was found on low grade slag / slate heaps in open cast quarry 19th February 2009 West Yorkhire. Thanks to Malcom Storey for comments and suggestions

 


Cladonia chlorophaea

A 'pixie cup' lichen which grow on rotting tree stumps or peaty soils. Distinguished by the cup stalks (podetia) which widen gradually (not suddenly) from the base, and by the size of the soredia (knobbly scraps of thallus) which adhere to the stalks and the inner lining of the cups. In C. chlorophaea the grains are small and granular, the consistency of refined castor sugar, never as smooth as baking powder (for example, C. fimbriata), or coarse and warty as in C. pyxidata.

Key characteristics

Cup stalks widen gradually from the base
Small, granular soredia.

IMAGES (C) 2009 COLIN DUKE 25146
IMAGES (C) 2009 COLIN DUKE 25151 HABITAT SHALE SLAG/ QUARRY TIP
IMAGES (C) 2009 COLIN DUKE 25166

Cladonia polydacta Shaded Cladonia

Highly variable stalked cladonia. Cupped or not, with or without red apothecia, squamules with or without soredia, … Found in sheltered humid places.

IMAGES (C) 2009 COLIN DUKE 25187
IMAGES (C) 2009 COLIN DUKE 25195

IMAGES (C) 2009 COLIN DUKE 25195
25157XX
25177XX

25185XX