Description: The huge, yellowish, grey-green, rounded scales or squamules (to 1cm diam.) will be among the first characteristics of this lichen to attract attention on the decaying wood of fallen or rotting trees. The lower surface of the squamule is entirely floury sorediate and orange pigmented toward its point of attachment. Both the discs and smaller, spore-manufacturing structures called pycnidia which may appear only as dots on the surface, are red. Reactions K+ yellow, PD+ orange. Northern and southern Ireland.

Key Identification Features:

• Squamules, very large and rounded, orange near point of attachment, powdery below extending to edge of upper surface
• Discs red; on fallen timber or rotting wood; rarely confused with other species.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Cladonia digitata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.