Cladonia ciliata #

Taxon #

Cladonia ciliata f. ciliata, Cladonia ciliata f. flavicans

Organization #

Clade Crustaceae (Stenroos et al. 2018)

Identification #

The main difference between the two varieties is the absence (var. ciliata) or presence of (var. flavicans) usnic acid. Usnic acid influences the color of the thalli, leaving var. flavicans with a more greenish or yellowish color when compared to the more white, gray, or drab brown of the nominate variety (BLS). The slender, gracile, and elongated branch tips are another feature to recognize this species by. Cladonia ciliata is probably under observed in Alaska and could be confused with any of the “Cladina”-group Cladonia species or similarly abundantly branched species such as C. wainioi.

Substrate #

Another species found commonly on the ground among heaths

Notes #

Another data deficient species for which more records are needed to understand its distribution in Alaska, although all records for the state at present are within a few miles of the coast, the majority in SE Alaska but found out to the Aleutians as well. Occurs in the Temperate-Boreal transition zone but may not occur in the boreal interior.