Cladonia stellaris #

Taxan #

Cladonia stellaris var. aberrans, Cladonia stellaris var. stellaris

Organization #

Clade Impexae (Stenroos et al. 2018)

Identification #

Shrub-like growth form which become very rounded. This species lacks a single main stem which immediately helps to separate if from species like C. rangiferina, C. portentosa, and C. stygia (Brodo et al. 2001). An abundantly branched Cladonia recognized by the tips of the branches which appear like small stars, from which it gets its epithet. Thalli whiteish, grayish, yellow-green, or light green.

Substrate #

Terricolous

Notes #

Nearly ubiquitous in Alaska, not yet recorded north of the Brooks Range.

Photos #