Cladonia uncialis subsp. uncialis (images of British lichens)

Closely similar to subsp. biuncialis, but differing in its more compact and upright growth, with podetia terminating in three to five, commonly four, short, abruptly tapering branches surrounding the central hole, giving it a conspicuously stellate appearance when viewed from above, interior surface of podetium not powdery, ultimate branch tips pinkish-brown or purplish pink, commonly tetrachotomous. In coastal grey-dune or inland on gravelly heathland, evidently rare in Britain and currently with authentic records mostly from N.E. Scotland.
The common variant of C. uncialis in Britain is subsp. biuncialis, whereas the present subspecies is evidently more continental in distribution.
British Red Data Book taxon: vulnerable.

Refs (subsp. uncialis only): Smith et al. (2009), 338; Purvis et al. (1992), 204; Church et al. (1996), 40; van Herk & Aptroot (2004), 162-3 (photo, as species); Jahns (1983), 211 (photo, as species); Holien & Tønsberg (2008), 83 (photo, as species); Lichen Atlas of the British Isles 2: 1594 (1996); Hinds & Hinds (2007), 216 (photo, as species); Brodo et al. (2001), 278 (photo, as species); Walewski (2007), 86 (photo, as species).

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Images of British Lichens