Cladonia uncialis #

Taxa #

Cladonia uncialis ssp. biuncialus, Cladonia uncialis ssp. uncialis

Organization #

Clade Unciales (Stenroos et al. 2018)

Identification #

This lichen has a thorny or spikey appearance and a white to bright yellow thallus depending on factors such as exposure to sun, the concentration of some compounds such as usnic acid, and how hydrated or desiccated they are. The thallus may for dense cushions or a more loosely attached thallus in others. Sometimes appearing mottled. The nominate subspecies is ubiquitous in Alaska. The subspecies C. uncialis ssp. biuncialis is more strictly bifurcated at the terminal ends of the podetia and more often forms dense and sometimes very large thalli. The bifurcated tips are also much longer and more conspicuously brown than in the nominate subspecies.

Substrate #

Terricolous (CLH)

Chemical Tests #

Upper surface: K-, C- or C+ yellow to orange, Pd-, UV-, medulla: UV- or UV+ white (CLH), KC+ gold (Brodo et al. 2001)

Photos #