Cladonia coniocraea (Common powderhorn)

FloraFinder uses cookies only for correct operation. More info. Okay

Cladonia coniocraea auct.

Common powderhorn, powderhorn cup lichen

Kingdom	Fungi	Mushrooms, lichens, gel fungi, yeasts, and molds; also called eukaryotes
Division	Ascomycota	Sac fungi
Subdivision	Pezizomycotina	Sac fungi with filaments
Class	Lecanoromycetes	“Lichenized” fungi
Order	Lecanorales	Mostly lichen-forming fungi
Suborder	Lecanorineae	Lichens
Family	Cladoniaceae	Reindeer moss, cup lichen, others
Genus	Cladonia	“Cup lichen”
Species	coniocraea

About plant names...

This lichen is native to much of Europe and North America. It is very common in woods; on acid barked trees especially near the base, or on decaying stumps and logs. Rarely on humus rich acid soils.

Identification: This is a fruticose lichen—it is vaguely shrublike in appearance. It is green to gray-green in color. It consists of a squamulose base layer, like tiny flattened leaves or scales. The squamules are light green, and ¼-1¾″ (8-45 mm) high and 1/32-1/16″ (1-2 mm) wide. The name “powderhorn” refers to the hornlike growths with a bumpy texture that resembles powdering. The horns, called podetia, are gray-green, and ⅛-¼″ (3-9 mm) high and 1/16-⅛″ (2-5 mm) wide. Podetia tips are pointed, or topped with narrow cups.

Online References:

Britishlichensociety.org.uk

Lichenportal.org

2/17/2012 · Mt. Lebanon St., Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

3/17/2016 · Kibby’s Climb, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 5 × 8″ (12 × 19 cm)

5/4/2023 · Tarbox Preserve, Topsham, Maine

10/15/2011 · Mount Wachusett, Princeton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) ID is uncertain

3/17/2016 · Kibby’s Climb, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm)

Cladonia coniocraea description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 5 Sep 2023.

10/15/2011 · Mount Wachusett, Princeton, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm) ID is uncertain

8/25/2013 · Cranberry Meadow Pond Trail, Monadnock Conservancy, Peterborough, New Hampshire · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

5/4/2023 · Tarbox Preserve, Topsham, Maine

10/15/2011 · Mount Wachusett, Princeton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm) ID is uncertain

The pale green lichen is common powderhorn. · 3/17/2016 · Kibby’s Climb, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 8 × 6″ (20 × 14 cm)

The pale green lichen is common powderhorn. · 3/17/2016 · Kibby’s Climb, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 12 cm)

8/25/2013 · Cranberry Meadow Pond Trail, Monadnock Conservancy, Peterborough, New Hampshire · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)