Cladonia cornuta (L.) Hoffm.

A lichen similar to C. gracilis, characterized by brownish, pointy and usually non-branched podetia, which are finely sorediate in the upper part (approximately one third). Its distinction from certain forms of C. ochrochlora with conspicuously corticate bases may be problematic.

Cladonia cornuta grows on soil, humus or peat but may also occur on wood. It is a boreal-montane to subarctic-alpine species. In the Czech Republic, it is scattered mainly in montane and submontane areas but there are also plenty of records from lower elevations. Typically, it grows on screes, rock outcrops and peat forests. The lichen has also been recorded in other habitat, such as serpentinite rock outcrops or even anthropogenic stands.

Ascomycota → Lecanoromycetes → Lecanorales → Cladoniaceae → Cladonia