Cladonia amaurocraea #

Taxon #

Cladonia amaurocraea

Organization #

Clade Amaurocraeae (Stenroos et al. 2018)

Identification #

A very confusing species at first which once learned is readily identified in the field. The main confusion with this species stems from the many forms and intergrades between them which also share some traits with other species. The podetia may be with cups, erratically tendrilous, neatly bifurcated, or coming to a single point. Many specimens may have a combination of these on one thallus or neighboring thalli of different forms may appear strikingly different. The best way to recognize this highly morphologically plastic species is the lack of basal squamules and the greenish to golden brown color of the podetia which have conspicuously browned tips. We include a photo here of a specimen with sparse basal squamules on wood, but these are usually absent or obscured when growing on more typical substrate of soil and among bryophytes and heaths. Forms without cups are easily confused for cupless specimens of C. gracilis. That species is not the same off white to light yellow color as C. amaurocrea.

Substrate #

On the ground from shaded woods to open tundra, in the tundra this species can be a major contributor to lichen mats. Sometimes growing on wood or on bryophytes over rock.

Chemical Tests #

PD-, K-, cortex KC+ gold, medulla KC-, C-, UV- (Brodo et al. 2001); upper surface K-, C- or C+ yellow or orange, UV+ “bright blueish white” (CLH).

Notes #

Ubiquitous throughout all of Alaska. Probably underappreciated importance as a component of Rangifer forage and gross biomass.

Photos #