Cladonia thomsonii #

Taxon #

Cladonia thomsonii

Organization #

Clade Cladonia, Subclade Rangiformes (Stenroos et al. 2018)

Identification #

Morphologically somewhat intermediate between Cladonia uncialis and C. arbuscula. It is less intricately branched than C. arbuscula nor does it have the conspicuously combed branch tips. The tips are more erratic than in most specimens of C. uncialis and has more perforated or split main axils. This species grows in more gravelly, less vegetated areas than are often tolerated by lookalikes.

Substrate #

Terricolous in gravelly areas or among heaths.

Chemical Tests #

K+ yellow, C-, KC-, Pd- (CLH)

Notes #

Known from the Chugach Range northward. Probably overlooked and may be misidentified for more common species.