Cladonia cryptochlorophaea

A member of the Cladonia chlorophaea complex belonging to the Cladonia grayi group, which are often more brownish than Cladonia chlorophaea (sensu stricto), although Cladonia cryptochlorophaea can be greener. It often occurs in a form with tall, slender podetia, as seen in the photograph, and as such can be confused with Cladonia fimbriata. The podetia are often spotty and give rise to cups that sometimes produce brown apothecia on their rims. Accurate identification and differentiation from these other Cladonia species requires chemical tests. Also, the occurrence of cryptochlophaeic and fumarprotocetraric acids in the thallus results in a UV+ pale yellowish flurescence. It grows in humus-rich habitats in moorland and heathland and also on wood, including old posts and wooden gates. It is probably widespread in West Glamorgan but difficult to identify and under recorded.