About Cladonia macilenta Hoffm.
Among species in the Cladonia genus, Cladonia macilenta Hoffm. grows to a small to medium size, and notably does not develop cupped structures even when fully mature. This lichen is typically found in open, well-lit wooded areas and heathlands, where it grows on strongly acidic wood and soil. It is frequently confused with Cladonia polydactyla, because some forms of C. polydactyla can also lack cups—this is especially common when C. polydactyla is pollution-stressed, growing in shade, or still juvenile. However, C. macilenta can be distinguished from C. polydactyla by two features: coloration and reproductive structures. C. macilenta is usually white or grey, while C. polydactyla is typically blue-grey. The reproductive propagules called soredia are granular in C. polydactyla, but have a finer, more mealy (farinose) texture in C. macilenta.
