Cladonia coniocraea auct.
Common powderhorn, powderhorn cup lichen, cup lichen
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:
2/17/2012 · Mt. Lebanon St., Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 3½ × 3½″ (9.4 × 9.1 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 · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm) 
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) 
| Kingdom | Fungi | Mushrooms, lichens, gel fungi, yeasts, and molds; also called eukaryotes |
| Division | Ascomycota | Sac fungi |
| Subdivision | Pezizomycotina | Sac fungi with filaments |
| Class | Lecanoromycetes | “Lichenized” fungi |
| Order | Lecanorales | Mostly lichen-forming fungi |
| Suborder | Lecanorineae | Lichens |
| Family | Cladoniaceae | Reindeer moss, cup lichen, others |
| Genus | Cladonia | “Cup lichen” |
| Species | coniocraea |
Cladonia coniocraea description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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