Description: Search for this species on disintegrating stumps, rotting tree trunks and hard, slowly decaying wood, especially in old woodland. The K+ yellow, Pd+ yellow thallus is composed of tiny, somewhat deformed, minutely dissected, grey-green squamules covered in a layer of isidia-like granules. The discs are small, brown, and sit at the tips of the stalks. Initially, it has the appearance of a granular stain over the wood. In Ireland, the species is local to County Londonderry and Sherkin Island, County Cork. It was formerly more widespread, but many past records are now thought to have been errors.

Key Identification Features:

• Organised mat of minutely dissected, grey-green, coral-like squamules
• On the hard, bare wood of decomposing trees at or near, old woodland sites.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

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

iNaturalist: Cladonia parasitica at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.