ASCOMYCOTA | LECANOROMYCETES > LECANORALES > Cladoniaceae

Common name:             Lipstick Powderhorn

Synonyms:                     Cladonia bacillaris   

Habitat:                           Acid woodland, heathland and bogs

Substrata:                       Soil, humus and lignum

Growth forms:               Terricolous, lignicolous                   

Basal thallus:                  Squamulose, usually disappearing

Secondary thallus:         Podetia, lacking cups

Apothecia:                     Lecideine, red fruits

BLS identity rating:        Graded 2/5 (visual identification relatively easy with care)

Basal squamules small, incised, often forming a dense mat, which may not persist; pale grey or bluish grey-green above, lower surface usually orange-brown towards the base; sometimes sparingly sorediate below.

Podetia slim, to around 30mm tall; pointed, without scyphi, usually simple, although can be sparingly branched at times near the apices; often twisted or curved, or somewhat decumbent; pale grey-blue to grey-greenish; normally entirely farinose although, at times, partially decorticate or, more rarely, bearing squamules, particularly towards the base.  

Apothecia and pycnidia, small, usually frequent, bright red, single or clustered, at tips of podetia.

Cladonia macilenta can be found in well-lit areas of heathland or open acid woodland, growing on stumps or rotting wood, soil and humus. It occurs throughout Britain, but is believed to be rarer in lowland areas than the distribution map suggests due to misidentification. Whilst there should be no problem distinguishing mature specimens, young growth could be confused with morphs of Cladonia polydactyla whose distinctive scyphi haven't developed, so it's important to ensure the podetia have farinose rather than coarsely granular soredia.

I'm really not sure why I currently only have just one publishable photo of this species - something I need to rectify!