Cladonia verticillata (Hoffm.) Schaer. ss. auct. am.

       Primary thallus not very prominent and sometimes not very visible, formed of small scales 2-4 mm wide and 5-8 mm high, upper surface greenish-brown, lower surface white. Podetia often numerous 3-5 (7) cm high, formed of stacked cups proliferating from the center of the lower cup up to 4-5 (7), smooth surface without soredia or soredia and only sometimes a few squamules towards the base, greenish-grey in the shade, greenish-brown in the sun. Apothecia infrequently at the margin of the cups, globose, reddish-brown, dark brown. Frequent brown-black pycnidia at the margin and at the bottom of the cups. K- or K+ brownish, C-, KC-, P+ red. Mountain and boreal species occurring on poor stony soils.

N.B. A highly variable polyphyletic species encompassing several taxa, we present here the most abundant and common "species" in northern Europe and North America.

_ Cladonia cervicornis, formerly confused, is distinguished by its much larger and highly dissected primary scales and the cups of its podetions rarely exceeding 2. It is also much less mountainous and more coastal.