Description: This is one of many 'pixie cup' lichens which grow on rotting tree stumps or peaty soils. It may be distinguished from similar lichens by the cup stalks (podetia) which widen gradually (not suddenly) from the base, and by the size of the soredia (knobbly scraps of thallus) which adhere to the stalks and the inner lining of the cups. In C. chlorophaea the grains are small and granular, the consistency of refined castor sugar, never as smooth as baking powder (for example, C. fimbriata), or coarse and warty as in C. pyxidata.

Key Identification Features:

• Cup stalks widen gradually from the base
• Small, granular soredia.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

Distribution Map from NBN: Cladonia chlorophaea s. lat. at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Cladonia chlorophaea s. lat. at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.