Cladonia alpina

Taxon

Cladonia alpina

Authority
(Asahina) Yoshim. (1968)
Conservation Status
DD NR Sc (Key)
BLS Number
322
Taxon Photo
General Description

Resembles Cladonia macilenta but the podetia are distinctly taller, up to 4 (–5) cm in height, usually bifurcate or sparingly dichotomously branched in the upper part. Podetia variably sorediate with soredia farinose to subgranular. Thallus C–, K–, KC–, Pd– (or rarely P+ yellow), UV– (barbatic and porphyrilic acids, also thamnolic acid, ± frequent).

Identification

Not well known in Britain and the British material needs re-evaluation. An unusually large Cladonia macilenta like material in the uplands should be looked at carefully.

Habitats

On soil rich in humus and on lignum, also on soil over rocks and walls and on Birch trunks.

Distribution Map
Key to map date classes
Distribution

Rare. N. and S. Wales, England (Lake District), Scotland (W. Ross) (some records not localised, so not on the map).

Threats & Status

Assessed as Data Deficient.

Britain: Data Deficient

Wales: Data Deficient

Scotland: Priority Taxon for Biodiversity in Scotland 

References

Pino-Bodas, R., Sanderson, N., Cannon, P., Aptroot, A., Coppins, B., Orange, A. & Simkin, J. (2021). Lecanorales: Cladoniaceae, including the genera Cladonia, Pilophorus and Pycnothelia. Revisions of British and Irish Lichens 19: 1-45. Link

Text by Neil A Sanderson, based on Pino-Bodas et al (2021)