Description: This is a non-sorediate, grey-green, scaly-stemmed Cladonia species. The upright stems (podetia) covered by abundant peeling scales (squamules) of the outer skin (cortex) can leave some areas naked and exposed (decorticate). It is a variable species, but the abundant peeling squamules combined with the pointed tips of many stems, and also splits in the stems near their tops serve to distinguish it. Discs, when present are brown. It is common on acid soils, bogs, earthy banks and dead, often rotten wood. It reacts negatively to a dab of Potassium hydroxide (K).

Key Identification Features:

• Abundant peeling scales along the stems
• Stems frequently with pointed tips and split tops.

Original text submitted by Simon Davey

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

iNaturalist: Cladonia squamosa at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.