ASCOMYCOTA | LECANOROMYCETES > LECANORALES > Cladoniaceae

Common name:             -

Synonyms:                     Cenomyce polydactyla

Habitat:                           Woodland, occasionally heathland

Substrata:                       Rotting wood, organic soil

Growth forms:               Lignicolous, terricolous                   

Basal thallus:                  Squamulose

Secondary thallus:         Podetia

Apothecia:                     Lecanorine, bright red fruits  

BLS identity rating:        Graded 1/5 (identification should be straightforward)

A very variable species; primary thallus comprising small basal squamules with incised tips, usually persisting as a thin mat; occasionally thinly sorediate below; bluish grey-green, often with orange-brown tones towards the base, whitish underside.

Podetia up to 30mm tall, branched and lacking cups, or pointed at first, later developing with narrow, often irregular, tapering scyphi that very rarely exceed 5mm dia.; often with secondary podetia-like extensions proliferating from the margins; surface varies from entirely farinose to coarsely granular sorediate mixed with squamules that are more frequent near the base, at times patchily decorticate; pale grey or greenish-grey

Apothecia and pycnidia bright red, at the apices of the podetia and around the rim of the cups, single or clustered.

Whilst older, fully developed, specimens can usually be distinguished by the podetia having narrow irregular proliferating scyphi, often with intermixed soredia and squamules, young erect growth lacking scyphi, which are more common, could easily be confused with Cladonia macilenta apart from the presence of coarsely granular, rather than farinose, soredia.   

Cladonia polydactyla is reasonably common and widespread, occurring in most areas, especially across the southern heaths, the west, north, Wales and Scotland, where it can be found on rotting wood, or growing on the ground amongst humus and mosses; typically, in woodland or occasionally on heathland.