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Federal Protection: No US federal protection

State Protection: No Georgia state protection

Global Rank: G3G5

State Rank: SNR

Element Locations Tracked in Biotics: No

SWAP 2015 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): No

SWAP 2025 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): No

2025 SGCN Priority Tier: None

Element Occurrences (EOs) in Georgia: 0

Habitat Summary for element in Georgia: Xeric sandhills, rock outcrops, roadsides

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Description

Thallus entirely of pale yellow-green podetia, thalli generally in the range of 2-6 cm across, of low tangles of lax podetia, often arching over toward thallus edges; branch surfaces bumpy; CHEMISTRY: thallus KC+ yellow-gold, other tests negative (usnic acid); FIELD ID possible with experience, but best to confirm with a KC test

Similar Species

Cladonia leporina can resemble this species, but it is greener with larger branches that are wrinkled rather than bumpy, and if it has any KC reaction at all, it is + green-blue

Related Rare Species

None

Habitat

Xeric sandhills, rock outcrops, roadsides, on sandy soil, silicious rock & low moss mats

Life History

Terricolous/saxicolous fruticose lichenized fungus, photobiont a chlorococcoid alga in genus Trebouxia or Pseudotrebouxia

Survey Recommendations

None

Range

Scattered mostly north of the Fall Line, with a few records from the northern Coastal Plain

Threats

Unknown

Georgia Conservation Status

Uncommon

Conservation Management Recommendations

None

References

Brodo, I. M. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press, New Haven, Conn.

Brodo, I. M. 2016. Keys to lichens of North America: revised and expanded. Yale University Press, New Haven, Conn.

Esslinger, T. L. 2021. A cumulative checklist for the lichen-forming, lichenicolous and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada. Version 24. Opuscula Philolichenum 20: 100-394.

Authors of Account

Malcolm Hodges

Date Compiled or Updated

22 July 2022