About:
A fruticose lichen with small forked lobes that has a green upper surface, a white lower surface, and does not have stalks present.
Habitat:
C. apodocarpa ranges from the Northeastern United States down into the southern states, found especially in the Appalachian Mountains. This lichen can be found on rocks, at the base of rotting tree stumps, and on soil. It is often found near moss.
History:
First described in 1925.
Structure:
Comprised entirely of forked squamules that branch once or twice. When dry, the white lower cortex can be seen. When wet, the green upper cortex can be seen as the squamules unfurl. Surfaces are smooth and do not have podetia present.
Thes lichen contain atranorin and fumarprotocetraric acid in the cortex and upper medulla.
Fun Fact!
-This lichen is also known as the "stalkless Cladonia" because it does not produce any stalks and consists entirely of squamules. While other species have squamules that are the same shape and size, they produce stalks, often with fruiting bodies (apothecia).
Reference List:
-Cladonia apodocarpa. Consortium of North American Lichen Herbaria. [accessed 2020 Apr 28]. https://lichenportal.org/cnalh/taxa/index.php?taxon=Cladonia+apodocarpa&formsubmit=Search+Terms
-Cladonia apodocarpa. Consortium of North American Lichen Herbaria. CNALH - Google Map. [accessed 2020 Apr 28]. https://lichenportal.org/cnalh/collections/map/googlemap.php?usethes=1&taxa=53369
-Cladonia apodocarpa. NatureServe Explorer 2.0. [accessed 2020 May 4]. https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.125449/Cladonia_apodocarpa