Description: This is a truly calcicole, Cladonia species with cup-carrying stems (podetia). It is easily identified by the scaly base which fuses into a platy plinth above which the cups are raised. It occurs mainly among short, well-grazed calcareous grassland where it is a frequent host to Diploschistes muscorum, a lichen species parasitic on it. It is common in suitable habitats throughout Ireland.

Key Identification Features:

• The habitat and the large scales (squamules) flattened to the substrate, indicate this species (which is not always fertile)
• Look for it on sandy, calcareous soils or around limestone outcrops, especially near the sea or above dunes.

Original text submitted by Simon Davey

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

iNaturalist: Cladonia pocillum at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.