Cladonia squamosa var. subsquamosa (Nyl. ex Leight.) Vain.

    This variety is more robust, more squamulose and more fertile (usually apothecia are more numerous). Its habitat seems restricted to rocks and de facto less restricted to forests than the canonical type Cladonia squamosa var. squamosa, but these characteristics are not strongly discriminating. Chemical reactions are required to distinguish these two varieties. Var. subsquamosa is C-, K+ yellow-orange, KC-, Pd+ orange, UV-. Considering these biochemical properties, some authors rank this variety at a chemotype level of Cladonia squamosa s.l.. Not rare, mainly on coastal rocks in crevices enriched with soil or organic matter or inland on well-lit rock ridges.