TYPE. UNITED STATES. FLORIDA, [Seminole County], Sanford, S. Rapp s.n., Kryptog. exs. mus. Vindob. 3066 [H, lectotype designated by T. Ahti, 1961; UPS L-104179, isolectotype; US, isolectotype).

Description. Lichenized fungus.

Thallus fruticose, 3-11 cm tall, composed of highly branched podetia, pale yellowish green to whitish gray, base not darkened, forming flat, often extensive colonies; branching dichotomous, rarely trichotomous or tetrachotomous; most axils closed; apical banchlets seldom nodding. Photobiont Asterochloris alga; vegetative diaspores absent. Ascomata biatorine apothecia, brown, 0.2 mm diam., on subterminal branchlets; ascospores colorless, simple, ovoid, 10-12 x 2 μm. Pycnidia frequent on terminal branches, 100-200 x 100 μm; pycnidial jelly red; conidia 7-9 x 1 μm, strongly curved.

Chemistry. Spot tests K-, KC+ gold, P+ red; usnic and fumarprotocetraric acids.

Substrate and Habitat. On open, especially sandy, ground.

Distribution. Eastern North America to Central America and Caribbean; in North Carolina common throughout.

Literature

Ahti, T. (2002) Cladoniaceae. Flora Neotropica 78: 1-362.

Brodo, I.M., S. Duran Sharnoff & S. Sharnoff. (2001) Lichens of North America. Yale University Press, New Haven & London. 795 pp.