Cladonia gracilis ssp. turbinata
Cladonia gracilis ssp. turbinata photo by Ian Adams
DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES: Cladonia gracilis is a common and highly variable species. This is the subspecies turbinata. Its primary squamules are persistent. The podetia is green to brownish green, corticate and esorediate with cups flaring rapidly and lack of substantial proliferations developing from the podetia. The lower portion of the podetia has a smooth subcontinuous cortex. Brown apothecia are common as are black pycnidia on the cup margins.
ECOLOGY: This lichen was found for the first time in Ohio during a bioblitz in Lake County in June, 2019. It is likely rare throughout the state and possibly restricted to northern counties.