Cladonia coniocraea auct.

Common powderhorn, powderhorn cup lichen

About plant names...

This lichen is native to much of Europe and North America. It is very common in woods; on acid barked trees especially near the base, or on decaying stumps and logs. Rarely on humus rich acid soils.

Identification: This is a fruticose lichen—it is vaguely shrublike in appearance. It is green to gray-green in color. It consists of a squamulose base layer, like tiny flattened leaves or scales. The squamules are light green, and ¼-1¾" (8-45 mm) high and ¹/₃₂-¹/₁₆" (1-2 mm) wide. The name “powderhorn” refers to the hornlike growths with a bumpy texture that resembles powdering. The horns, called podetia, are gray-green, and ⅛-¼" (3-9 mm) high and ¹/₁₆-⅛" (2-5 mm) wide. Podetia tips are pointed, or topped with narrow cups.

Online References:

Britishlichensociety.org.uk

Lichenportal.org

2/17/2012 · Mt. Lebanon St., Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 3½ × 3½" (9.4 × 9.1 cm)

3/17/2016 · Kibby’s Climb, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 4½ × 3" (11 × 8.3 cm)

5/4/2023 · Tarbox Preserve, Topsham, Maine

10/15/2011 · Mount Wachusett, Princeton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 7 × 4½" (17 × 11 cm) ID is uncertain

3/17/2016 · Kibby’s Climb, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 8 × 5" (19 × 13 cm)

Cladonia coniocraea description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 5 Sep 2023.

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10/15/2011 · Mount Wachusett, Princeton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 9 × 6" (22 × 14 cm) ID is uncertain

8/25/2013 · Cranberry Meadow Pond Trail, Monadnock Conservancy, Peterborough, New Hamp­shire
≈ 4½ × 3½" (11 × 9 cm)

5/4/2023 · Tarbox Preserve, Topsham, Maine

10/15/2011 · Mount Wachusett, Princeton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 6 × 4" (15 × 10 cm) ID is uncertain

The pale green lichen is common powderhorn. · 3/17/2016 · Kibby’s Climb, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 8 × 6" (20 × 14 cm)

The pale green lichen is common powderhorn. · 3/17/2016 · Kibby’s Climb, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire
≈ 8 × 5" (19 × 12 cm)

8/25/2013 · Cranberry Meadow Pond Trail, Monadnock Conservancy, Peterborough, New Hamp­shire
≈ 5 × 4½" (13 × 12 cm)