KEY to terricolous lichens - italic

19 Thallus K+ red 20
19 Thallus K- 21
20 Thallus P+ red. Primary squamules forming dense mats
Cladonia polycarpoides
Thallus squamulose, grey, K+ red, C-, KC-, P+ red. Primary squamules large, forming
dense mats. Undersurface of squamules white. Pycnidia dark, semi-immersed. Conidia
cylindrical. Photobiont chlorococcoid. - Note: on more or less calcareous mineral soil
in open grasslands and on soil pockets on large isolated boulders, probably somehow
overlooked in Italy and more widespread in the Alps.
20 Thallus P+ orange.
Cladonia symphycarpa
Thallus squamulose, grey, K+ red, C-, KC-, P+ orange. Podetia to 1 cm tall, very rare,
with irregular cups. Primary squamules large, to 2-3 mm tall, horizontally spreading,
with recurved margins, grey-green above. Undersurface of squamules white.
Ascospores 8 per ascus. Pycnidia dark, semi-immersed. Conidia cylindrical.
Photobiont chlorococcoid. - Note: on calcareous ground in dry grasslands or on the
top of large, exposed calcareous boulders, certainly occurring throughout S Italy.
21 Squamules not white below 22
21 Squamules white below 23
22 Primary squamules 15-40 x 2-10 mm, forming straggling clusters
Cladonia convoluta
Thallus squamulose, greenish grey, K-, C-, KC-, P+ red. Podetia to 1 cm tall, very
rare. Primary squamules very large (>10 mm), 15-40 x 2-10 mm, sometimes with
black or white hairs at the margins, forming straggling clusters. Undersurface of
squamules yellowish. Pycnidia dark, semi-immersed. Conidia cylindrical. Photobiont
chlorococcoid. - Note: on mineral soil in dry grasslands, or in intradunal depressions,
also occurring in dry-continental Alpine valleys.
22 Primary squamules 4-15 x 1-3 mm, forming compact mats
Cladonia foliacea
Thallus squamulose, greenish grey, K-, C-, KC-, P+ red. Podetia to 1 cm tall, very
rare. Primary squamules very large (>10 mm), 4-15 x 1-3 mm, forming compact mats,
sometimes with black hairs at the margins. Undersurface of squamules yellowish.
Ascospores 8 per ascus. Pycnidia dark, semi-immersed. Conidia cylindrical.
Photobiont chlorococcoid. - Note: an ecological vicariant of C. convoluta on more or
less acid, but often base-rich ground.
23 Thallus greenish grey. Primary squamules thin, irregularly incised and ascending,
often forming low cushions
Cladonia caespiticia
Thallus squamulose, greenish grey, K-, C-, P+ red. Podetia to 3 mm tall, decorticate.
Primary squamules medium-sized (1-3mm), to 7 mm long, irregularly incised and
ascending, often forming low cushions. Undersurface of squamules white. Medulla
UV -. Pycnidia semi-immersed. Conidia cylindrical. Photobiont chlorococcoid. -
Note: on mineral, generally sandy-clay soil, occasionally on rotting wood and on
bases of ancient trunks, in rather sheltered situations.
23 Thallus brownish-greyish green. Primary squamules 1-2 mm thick, flat, forming a
subrosulate crust
Cladonia pocillum
Thallus squamulose, brownish-greyish green, K-, C-, KC-, P+ red. Primary squamules
medium-sized (1-3mm), 1-2 mm thick, flat, forming a subrosulate crust. Undersurface
of squamules white. Medulla UV -. Ascospores 8 per ascus. Photobiont
chlorococcoid. - Note: on soil and amongst bryophytes in dry, open grasslands, one of
the most common Cladonias of Italy, the distinction towards C. pyxidata is wellworthy
of a DNA study, in my opinion, the two taxa might prove to be well-distinct.
24 With isidia. Thallus C+red, KC+ red
21