Revised name: Cladonia arbuscula
A distinctive lichen that is recognised on basis of the large, podetia that grow in tufted mats, with the entire terminal branches being strongly recurved in one direction. The podetia are green-grey and have a yellowish tinge when fresh. The branching is tri- or tetrachotomous, and the axils may be open. The primary thallus is granular and evanescent
Thallus: C-, K-, UV-
In Scotland, Cladonia arbuscula subsp. squarrosa is fairly widespread on acid heathlands, peat moors and acid dunes. BLS distribution map
Cladonia arbuscula subsp. squarrosa can be distinguished from Cladonia ciliata var. tenuis on basis of its tri- to tetrachotomous branching and the entire terminal branch being recurved in one direction.
scottishlichens.co.uk 