Cladonia sulcata
Description : Basal squamules 1–3 mm long, 0.5–1.5 mm wide, esorediate. Podetia arising from upper surface of basal squamules, 10–20 mm tall, without scyphi, grooved and splitting; cortex continuous becoming somewhat granular. Apothecia on tips of podetia, dark-brown, convex, 0.3–0.6 mm diam.
Chemistry : K+ weak yellow, KC−, C−, PD+ yellow; containing atranorin, psoromic and bourgeanic acids.
N: North Auckland (Karikari Peninsula). S: Nelson (Dun Mountain). On soil. Also in Tasmania and Macquarie I. (Archer & Bartlett 1986; Archer 1992b; Stenroos 1993; McCarthy 2003c, 2006).
Australasian
Illustrations : Archer (1982: 116, fig. 1); Stenroos (1993: 313, fig. 2E).
Cladonia sulcata is characterised by: the longitiudinally grooved and splitting podetia; open axils, rather scattered podetial squamules; and the presence of bourgeanic and psoromic acids. It is morphologically similar to C. cariosa (Ach.) Spreng., from the Northern Hemisphere, but is distinguished by the smaller apothecia and the presence of bourgeanic acid. Two additional varieties are accepted, defined on the basis of differing secondary chemistry.
