Cladonia macilenta

Cladonia macilenta is small- to medium-sized amongst other Cladonia species and lacks cups even at maturity. It is often mistaken for Cladonia polydactyla, because some morphs of that species can lack cups, particularly when pollution-stressed, shaded, or juvenile. But C. macilenta can be differentiated by coloration (C. macilenta is typically white or grey, while C. polydactyla is typically blue-grey) or by the reproductive structures (soredia) which are granular in C. polydactyla and more mealy (farinose) in C. macilenta. ==Habitat and distribution==

Typically, Cladonia macilenta is found in open or well-lit wooded areas and heathlands growing on strongly acidic wood and soil. In Nepal, the lichen has been reported from 1,500 to 3,800 m elevation in a compilation of published records. ==References==