Fascinating Lichens of Sri Lanka

Fr
VR
SL
Cladonia singhii
Cladonia subdelicatula
IC
DD
Fr
Cladoniaceae
Description Fruticose. Basal squamules are green and small. Most of these
squamules disappear in mature lichens. Pale to grey brownish Podetia grow from
basal squamules. Podetia are simple to sparingly branched. The Podetial discs are
brownish, and nearly cup shaped.
Status Very rare species. Can be identified as it forms large colonies, and has
simple podetia that are greenish grey. New record for Sri Lanka.
Habitat Mostly restricted to humid high elevations above 1200 m. Observed in
sunny open places growing on soil and soil banks.
Locations Side bank of the Pattipola Road.
Description Fruticose. Primary thallus is persistent, consisting of narrowly
laciniate, esorediate squamules. Podetia are simple to slightly dichotomously
branched, without axillary funnels, tips narrow, subulate. The podetial surface
is granular, covered by abundant, finely laciniate squamules, and is esorediate
but sometimes soredia-like granules are present. Light brown podetial discs are
infrequent.
Status Only spotted in a few localities. New record for the Indian subcontinent
and Sri Lanka.
Habitat Mostly restricted to humid high elevation forests above 1000 m.
Locations Nuwara Eliya.
Cladoniaceae
58 Fascinating Lichens of Sri Lanka
Fascinating Lichens of Sri Lanka 59