Cetraria aculeata #

Taxon #

Cetraria aculeata

Organization #

Rag-Like Parmelioids

Identification #

Cylindrical in cross-section rather than the U-shaped cross section of the flattened lobes of most other Cetraria species. Spiny or thorny in appearance and often shiny if not desiccated. Red-brown to dark brown, lightening up when hydrated. Apothecia rare. More shrubby, less elongated branches than Bryocaulon species.

Substrate #

Terricolous, lignicolous, corticolous, saxicolous

Chemical Tests #

medulla: K-, C-, KC-, Pd- (Brodo et al. 2001)

Notes #

Ubiquitous in Alaska, especially in gravelly floodplains or in the alpine.