Pilophorus clavatus #

Taxon #

Pilophorus clavatus

Organization #

Matchstick Lichens

Identification #

Like the other matchstick lichens, Pilophorus clavatus is vaguely Cladonia-like, a member of the Cladoniaceae family, but tipped with ink-black apothecia and not forming cups. P. clavatus is most similar to P. acicularis, but P. clavatus has a more elongated “matchhead” and has an overall color which tends towards olive green where P. acicularis is a more gray -green but there is overlap depending on habitat.

Substrate #

On acidic rocks near the coast (Spribille et al. 2023) of the temperate rainforest zone.

Chemical Tests #

cortex: K+ yellow, C-, KC-, Pd-; medulla: K-, C-, KC-, Pd- (Brodo et al. 2001)

Notes #

The genus should be sought in Kodiak.