Cladonia furcata subsp. subrangiformis
This taxa differs from C. furcata in the presence of raised starkly white ± circular concretion-like spots (of calcium oxalate crystals) towards the base of the olive to dark brown podetia formed by local rupturing of the cortex; the often prostrate and little- branched, worm-like, habit and robust appearance; and the presence of short lateral branches which often arise ± at right angles from podetia. It is found on calcareous soils and the morphological differences may be at least partially habitat-related, with the deposition of calcium oxalate crystals a mechanism to deal with an excesses of calcium ions. Cladonia furcata subsp. subrangiformis was recognised by James (2009) but a phylogenetic study by Pino-Bodas et al. (2015) could not distinguish adequately between the two taxa.
For the time being the taxa is still being recorded by the BLS mapping scheme.
![Key to map date classes](/sites/default/files/default_images/species-maps-key_2.png)
James, P.W. (2009). Cladonia. In: Lichens of Great Britain and Ireland (Smith, C.W., Aptroot, A., Coppins, B.J.,
Fletcher, A., Gilbert, O.L., James, P.W. & Wolselsey, P.A. eds): 309–338. London: British Lichen Society.
Pino-Bodas, R., Burgaz, A.R., Martín, M.P., Ahti, T. & Stenroos, S., Wedin, M. & Lumbsch, H.T. (2015). The phenotypic features used for distinguishing species within the Cladonia furcata complex are highly homoplasious. Lichenologist 47: 287–303. Link
Pino-Bodas, R., Sanderson, N., Cannon, P., Aptroot, A., Coppins, B., Orange, A. & Simkin, J. (2021). Lecanorales: Cladoniaceae, including the genera Cladonia, Pilophorus and Pycnothelia. Revisions of British and Irish Lichens 19: 1-45. Link
Text by Neil A Sanderson, based on Pino-Bodas et al (2021)