Cladonia verticillata Ladder Lichen

A species of open acid heath and mine spoil, preferring open habitats areas of damp ground. The podetia have 2-3 (-7) stacked cups, each growing from the centre of the cup below, a character sometimes shared by the browner C. cervicornis. Both species share similar chemistry and are easily confused and squamule morphology provides the best means for identification. Thallus C–, K–, KC–, Pd+ red, UV–. Records include regularly burned heath on Rhossili Down and regularly mown damp heath on coal spoil at Mynydd Garn-goch, both sites supporting a diverse assemblage of Cladonia species.

Not listed by Alan Orange in Flora of Glamorgan (Wade et al, 1994).