Cladonia subcervicornis

Cladonia subcervicornis is a species of fruticose lichen in the family Cladoniaceae. It is found primarily in oceanic regions of northern and western Europe. First described in 1894, it is distinguished by its cushion-like growth habit and a prominent primary thallus made up of large, erect, greyish-green squamules with darkened undersides. The species typically grows on thin layers of humus in rock crevices along coastal areas, particularly in heath environments, where it can become locally abundant. While it produces both sexual and asexual reproductive structures frequently, genetic studies suggest it has limited dispersal capabilities, with populations even a few kilometres apart showing significant genetic differences. The species has been recorded across Western Europe and the Macaronesian Islands, with rare occurrences in Eastern Europe, though historical reports of its presence in North America have been determined to be incorrect.