Cladonia robinsii
Cladonia robinsii photo by Mark Zloba
DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES: Long strap-shaped, erect squamules; yellow-green color; NIS; K-, usnic acid present; compare with C. apodocarpa with blue-gray color, K+ persistent yellow and C. polycarpoides with large, rounded squamules, K+ red. Ordinarily C. robbinsii will be found only as fairly extensive patches of squamules on soil.
ECOLOGY: An eastern US species that is widespread on open soil or over rocks; known from only 4 counties in Ohio, but probably scattered in southern and southeastern counties; on soil almost exclusively, rarely over moss or decaying wood.