Cladonia rangiformis Coral Moss

The most common of the shrubbby 'reindeer mosses' that occur in West Glamorgan, often present in huge amounts in suitable habitats such as coastal dunes, coal tips and open mosaic habitats which are at least mildly basic. It is profusely branched with spiky branches at wide angles that divide fairly evenly into two. The green or bown mottled pattern on the branches, which is somewhat like giraffe skin, is often quite striking (see photo) but may be inconspicuous. Brown apothecia are sometimes formed (see photo) but are not observed commonly.  It occurs en masse on furnace slag in Margam and in open mosaic habitats on Baglan Energy Park.

Listed by Alan Orange in Flora of Glamorgan (Wade et al, 1994).