Cladonia spp?

[diggleken]

Hi, am I corect with these tentative Cladonia ID's please?
On the moor peat sides - C. Coccifera?

And in the middle of the moor - C. Uncialis or ciliata perhaps?

Thanks a lot
Ken

[AlanS]

Hi Ken,

I am afraid this is where your book is showing its age a little.

Picture 1 is what would have been called Cladonia coccifera a few years go, but we like to think we know this group better now.

True C. coccifera is a continental & montane species that we have for sure in Britain only as a rarity in the Scottish Highlands, mainly at altitude. One lowland record from very exposed coast in N.E. Scotland, where other montane species also occur.

There are other species in the group, but the widespread one in Britain and the west coast of Europe is Cladonia diversa, and I am fairly sure from your photograph that this is what you have.

The second photograph is Cladonia portentosa, generally the commonest of our 'reindeer lichens'.

Cladonia diversa (images of British lichens)
Cladonia portentosa (images of British lichens)

Alan

[diggleken]

Thanks a lot Alan, grateful for your help again!
Cheers
Ken