Cladonia cariosa (Ach.) Spreng.

    Primary thallus made of squamules scattered over the substratum, 2-5 x 3-4 mm, upper surface grey-green; lower surface whitish,  tinged grey; secondary thallus made of podetia to 1-2.5 cm tall, cylindrical, small squamules towards the base, above surface corticate, granular,  typically longitudinally fissured or torn, whitish with grey-greenish spots; scyphi absent but top of podetia enlarged bearing apothecia. Apothecia rounded to globose clustured, dark brown when moist and brown-chocolate when dry. Ascus apex markedly thickened. Ascospores colourless, ellipsoid, sharp apice, thick wall, 1-(2-3)-septate, (10) 11-15 (18) x (3) 3,5-5 µm, paraphyses at tip, brown and often branched. Pycnidia present, black, on upper surface. Photobiont : trebouxioide. C-, K+ yellow, KC-, Pd+ yellow for the most frequent chemotype. Rare in our prospection area, on dry moderately calcareous lawns and mine spoil-heaps.*