Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach.
Meth. Lich.: 293, 1803. Basionym: Lichen islandicus L. - Sp. Pl., 2: 1145, 1753.
Synonyms: Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach. subsp. islandica; Cetraria islandica f. platysmoides Sambo; Cetraria islandica var. platyna (Ach.) Ach.
Distribution: N - Frl (Tretiach & Hafellner 2000, Tretiach & Molaro 2007, Minganti & al. 2014), Ven (Nimis 1994, Nascimbene & Caniglia 1997, 2003c, Caniglia & al. 1999, 2000, Nascimbene 2001b, 2005c, 2008c, Cercasov & al. 2002, Nascimbene & al. 2006e, Nascimbene & Marini 2007, Brackel 2013, Minganti & al. 2014, Giovagnoli & Tasinazzo 2014), TAA (Caniglia & al. 2002, Nascimbene & Caniglia 2002c, Nascimbene 2003, 2006c, 2008b, 2013, Nascimbene & al. 2005, 2006, 2006e, 2008c, 2022, Lang 2009, Bilovitz & al. 2014, 2014b), Lomb (Rivellini 1994, Rossi & al. 1998, Valcuvia & al. 2000d, Dalle Vedove & al. 2004, Valcuvia & Truzzi 2007b, Brackel 2013, Minganti & al. 2014, Vitalini & al. 2015, Gheza 2017, 2019, 2019b), Piem (Morisi & Sereno 1995, Isocrono & Falletti 1999, Isocrono & al. 2003, 2004, 2006, Morisi 2005, Isocrono & Piervittori 2008, Minganti & al. 2014, Türk & Dietrich 2026), VA (Verger & al. 1993, Siniscalco 1995, Borlandelli & al. 1996, Piervittori & Isocrono 1997, 1999, Valcuvia 2000, Piervittori & al. 2001, 2004, Revel & al. 2001, Matteucci & al. 2008, Minganti & al. 2014), Emil (Tomaselli 1991, Ferrari & al. 1994, Tomaselli & Rossi 1994, Rossi & Ferrari 1994, Dalle Vedove & al. 2002, Fariselli & al. 2020), Lig (Brunialti & al. 1999, Minganti & al. 2014). C - Tosc (Benesperi & al. 2007, Minganti & al. 2014, Minganti & al. 2014, Brackel 2015), Marc (Nimis & Tretiach 1999), Umb (Panfili 2000, 2007, Ravera & al. 2006, Brackel 2025), Laz (Brackel 2015), Abr (Nimis & Tretiach 1999, Minganti & al. 2014, Brackel 2015, Di Nuzzo & al. 2021, Gheza & al. 2021,Vallese & al. 2022, Türk & Dietrich 2026), Mol (Nimis & Tretiach 2004, Caporale & al. 2008). S - Camp, Bas (Potenza & Fascetti 2005, 2012, Potenza 2006, Potenza & al. 2026), Cal (Puntillo 1996, Potenza & al. 2011, Minganti & al. 2014, Lich. Ital. Exs. 54: Isocrono & al. 2021, Potenza & al. 2026).
Description: Thallus subfoliose to subfruticose, loosely attached, often forming large tufts, consisting of dorsiventral, flattened, elongate, ascending, 1-3(-4) cm wide and up to 6(-10) cm tall, often sparingly branched laciniae with often in-rolled margins bearing short (0.2-1 mm) marginal, pycnidia-bearing spinulose outgrowths. Upper surface dark brown in sun-forms to pale olive-green in shade, matt or somehow glossy, smooth or often slightly wrinkled, the basal parts often reddish; lower surface usually paler, with large, maculiform, irregular, white pseudocyphellae spread throughout the surface and the margins. Cortex 2-layered, with an external layer of brownish, thick-walled, paraplectenchymatous cells, and an inner layer of periclinally arranged hyphae; medulla white. Apothecia extremely rare, lecanorine, mostly subterminal, with a dark brown disc and an often crenulate thalline margin. Epithecium brownish; hymenium and hypothecium colourless. Asci 8-spored, narrowly clavate, with a small axial body and a distinct, K/I+ blue ring-structure in the rather large tholus, approaching the Lecanora-type. Ascospores 1-celled, hyaline, ellipsoid to ovoid, 6-10 x 3.5-5 μm. Pycnidia immersed at the top of the marginal spinules, often empty. Conidia simple, hyaline, elongate and slightly swollen in the middle or clavate, 6-7 x c. 1 μm. Photobiont chlorococcoid. Spot tests: cortex K-, C-, KC-, P-; medulla K- or K+ yellow-orange, C-, KC-, P+ yellow to orange or P-, UV-. Chemistry: medulla with fumarprotocetraric acid, and variable amounts of protocetraric and protolichesterinic acids.
Note: an arctic-alpine to boreal-montane, circumpolar lichen found on mineral and organic soil, amongst thick moss carpets, exceptionally on bark or lignum near the ground, with optimum near treeline; common and often abundant throughout the Alps, less frequent in the mountains of Southern Italy.
Growth form: Fruticose
Substrata: soil, terricolous mosses, and plant debris
Photobiont: green algae other than Trentepohlia
Reproductive strategy: mainly asexual, by thallus fragmentation
Commonnes-rarity: (info)
Alpine belt: very common
Subalpine belt: extremely common
Oromediterranean belt: rare
Montane belt: very rare
Submediterranean belt: absent
Padanian area: absent
Humid submediterranean belt: absent
Humid mediterranean belt: absent
Dry mediterranean belt: absent

Predictive model
Herbarium samples


P.L. Nimis; Owner: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Herbarium: TSB (14285)
2001/12/05
marginal pycnidia


P.L. Nimis; Owner: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Herbarium: TSB (34442)
2002/01/14


P.L. Nimis; Owner: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Herbarium: TSB (34442)
2002/01/14
pseudocyphellae


P.L. Nimis; Owner: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Italy, Veneto, Belluno, Casera Razzo, 1900 m
09.09.2016


P.L. Nimis; Owner: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Italy, Veneto, Belluno, Casera Razzo, 1900 m
09.09.2016


P.L. Nimis; Owner: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Italy, Veneto, Belluno, Casera Razzo, 1900 m
09.09.2016


Juri Nascimbene - CC BY-SA 4.0; Owner: ITALIC - Dyades Project - Dept. of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Trento, Monte Bondone
2014

Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=1328&lang=en
Sweden

Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=1328&lang=en
Sweden

Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=1328&lang=en
Sweden

Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=1328&lang=en
France, Pyrénées Cauterets

Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=1328&lang=en
France, Pyrénées Cauterets

Jacques Haine - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=1328&lang=en
France, Alpes Maurienne

Jacques Haine - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=1328&lang=en
France, Alpes Maurienne


Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 3.0
12616 Schweiz, Berner Oberland, Sustenpaß östlich von Meiringen, Weg vom Vorfeld des Steingletschers zum Hotel Steingletscher (46°43.861' N, 8°25.616' E, 1890 m); bei 2010 m. F. Schumm

Collezione lichenologica Abramo Massalongo del Museo di Storia Naturale G. Ligabue di Venezia - Autori: Seggi, Linda; Trabucco, Raffaella Proprietà: Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia - CC BY-NC
Italy, Veneto, M. Baldo

Collezione lichenologica Abramo Massalongo del Museo di Storia Naturale G. Ligabue di Venezia - Autori: Seggi, Linda; Trabucco, Raffaella Proprietà: Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia - CC BY-NC
Italy, Veneto, M. Baldo

Collezione lichenologica Abramo Massalongo del Museo di Storia Naturale G. Ligabue di Venezia - Autori: Seggi, Linda; Trabucco, Raffaella Proprietà: Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia - CC BY-NC
Italy, Veneto, M. Baldo


Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[KU459], Japan. Hokkaido. Prov. Ishikari: Mt. Chubetsu, Baisetsu Mts.
Among mosses, 1850 m. Leg.H.Kashiwadani (no. 16301) and Y. Endo,
5.8.1980, det. H. Kashiwadani. EX S. KUROKAWA AND H. KASHIWADANI
LICHENES RARIORS ET CRITICI EXSICCATI NR. 459.


Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[KU459], Japan. Hokkaido. Prov. Ishikari: Mt. Chubetsu, Baisetsu Mts.
Among mosses, 1850 m. Leg.H.Kashiwadani (no. 16301) and Y. Endo,
5.8.1980, det. H. Kashiwadani. EX S. KUROKAWA AND H. KASHIWADANI
LICHENES RARIORS ET CRITICI EXSICCATI NR. 459.


Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[KU604], Japan. Honshu. Prov. Etchu: Mt. Shirouma, Shimo-Niikawagun.
On soil. 2700 m. Leg. H. Shibuichi (no. 7159), 6.8.1982, det. H.
Kashiwadani. EX S. KUROKAWA AND H. KASHIWADANI LICHENES
RARIORES ET CRITICI NR. 604.


Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[KU604], Japan. Honshu. Prov. Etchu: Mt. Shirouma, Shimo-Niikawagun.
On soil. 2700 m. Leg. H. Shibuichi (no. 7159), 6.8.1982, det. H.
Kashiwadani. EX S. KUROKAWA AND H. KASHIWADANI LICHENES
RARIORES ET CRITICI NR. 604.


Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[KU656], Svalbard. Spitzbergen. Bohemanflya. On ground in rich
humus, 100-200 m. Leg. H. Kashiwadani (no 23350), 1.8.1985, det. H.
Kashiwadani. EX S. KUROKAWA AND H. KASHIWADANI LICHENES
RARIORES ET CRITICI EXSICCATI NR. 656.


Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[KU656], Svalbard. Spitzbergen. Bohemanflya. On ground in rich
humus, 100-200 m. Leg. H. Kashiwadani (no 23350), 1.8.1985, det. H.
Kashiwadani. EX S. KUROKAWA AND H. KASHIWADANI LICHENES
RARIORES ET CRITICI EXSICCATI NR. 656.


Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[OH529], Norway. Svalbard. Spitsbergen. 3 km WSW of Ny-Alesund,
Kongsfjorden. On ground with mosses, 50-100 m. Leg. H. Kashiwadani
(no.23147), 24.7.1985, det. H. Kashiwadani. EX Y. OHMURA LICHENES
MINUS COGNITI EXSICCATI NR. 529.


Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[OH529], Norway. Svalbard. Spitsbergen. 3 km WSW of Ny-Alesund,
Kongsfjorden. On ground with mosses, 50-100 m. Leg. H. Kashiwadani
(no.23147), 24.7.1985, det. H. Kashiwadani. EX Y. OHMURA LICHENES
MINUS COGNITI EXSICCATI NR. 529.


Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[OH552], Japan. Honshu. Prov. Rikuchu (Pref. Twate): Mt. Hayachine.
Hienuki-gon. Among mosses on soil, 1800 m. Leg. H. Shibuichi (mo.
8340) & Y. Yoshida, 31.7.1987, det. H. Shibuichi. EX Y. OHMURA
LICHENES MINUS COGNITI EXSICCATI NR.552.


Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[OH552], Japan. Honshu. Prov. Rikuchu (Pref. Twate): Mt. Hayachine.
Hienuki-gon. Among mosses on soil, 1800 m. Leg. H. Shibuichi (mo.
8340) & Y. Yoshida, 31.7.1987, det. H. Shibuichi. EX Y. OHMURA
LICHENES MINUS COGNITI EXSICCATI NR.552.
Growth form: Fruticose
Substrata: soil, terricolous mosses, and plant debris
Photobiont: green algae other than Trentepohlia
Reproductive strategy: mainly asexual, by thallus fragmentation
Commonnes-rarity: (info)
Alpine belt: very common
Subalpine belt: extremely common
Oromediterranean belt: rare
Montane belt: very rare
Submediterranean belt: absent
Padanian area: absent
Humid submediterranean belt: absent
Humid mediterranean belt: absent
Dry mediterranean belt: absent

Predictive model
| Herbarium samples |

P.L. Nimis; Owner: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Herbarium: TSB (14285)
2001/12/05
marginal pycnidia

P.L. Nimis; Owner: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Herbarium: TSB (34442)
2002/01/14

P.L. Nimis; Owner: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Herbarium: TSB (34442)
2002/01/14
pseudocyphellae

P.L. Nimis; Owner: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Italy, Veneto, Belluno, Casera Razzo, 1900 m
09.09.2016

P.L. Nimis; Owner: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Italy, Veneto, Belluno, Casera Razzo, 1900 m
09.09.2016

P.L. Nimis; Owner: Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Italy, Veneto, Belluno, Casera Razzo, 1900 m
09.09.2016

Juri Nascimbene - CC BY-SA 4.0; Owner: ITALIC - Dyades Project - Dept. of Life Sciences, University of Trieste
Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Trento, Monte Bondone
2014
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=1328&lang=en
Sweden
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=1328&lang=en
Sweden
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=1328&lang=en
Sweden
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=1328&lang=en
France, Pyrénées Cauterets
Bernard Bouffinier - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=1328&lang=en
France, Pyrénées Cauterets
Jacques Haine - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=1328&lang=en
France, Alpes Maurienne
Jacques Haine - Source: http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=1328&lang=en
France, Alpes Maurienne

Felix Schumm - CC BY-SA 3.0
12616 Schweiz, Berner Oberland, Sustenpaß östlich von Meiringen, Weg vom Vorfeld des Steingletschers zum Hotel Steingletscher (46°43.861' N, 8°25.616' E, 1890 m); bei 2010 m. F. Schumm
Collezione lichenologica Abramo Massalongo del Museo di Storia Naturale G. Ligabue di Venezia - Autori: Seggi, Linda; Trabucco, Raffaella Proprietà: Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia - CC BY-NC
Italy, Veneto, M. Baldo
Collezione lichenologica Abramo Massalongo del Museo di Storia Naturale G. Ligabue di Venezia - Autori: Seggi, Linda; Trabucco, Raffaella Proprietà: Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia - CC BY-NC
Italy, Veneto, M. Baldo
Collezione lichenologica Abramo Massalongo del Museo di Storia Naturale G. Ligabue di Venezia - Autori: Seggi, Linda; Trabucco, Raffaella Proprietà: Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia - CC BY-NC
Italy, Veneto, M. Baldo

Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[KU459], Japan. Hokkaido. Prov. Ishikari: Mt. Chubetsu, Baisetsu Mts. Among mosses, 1850 m. Leg.H.Kashiwadani (no. 16301) and Y. Endo, 5.8.1980, det. H. Kashiwadani. EX S. KUROKAWA AND H. KASHIWADANI LICHENES RARIORS ET CRITICI EXSICCATI NR. 459.

Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[KU459], Japan. Hokkaido. Prov. Ishikari: Mt. Chubetsu, Baisetsu Mts. Among mosses, 1850 m. Leg.H.Kashiwadani (no. 16301) and Y. Endo, 5.8.1980, det. H. Kashiwadani. EX S. KUROKAWA AND H. KASHIWADANI LICHENES RARIORS ET CRITICI EXSICCATI NR. 459.

Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[KU604], Japan. Honshu. Prov. Etchu: Mt. Shirouma, Shimo-Niikawagun. On soil. 2700 m. Leg. H. Shibuichi (no. 7159), 6.8.1982, det. H. Kashiwadani. EX S. KUROKAWA AND H. KASHIWADANI LICHENES RARIORES ET CRITICI NR. 604.

Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[KU604], Japan. Honshu. Prov. Etchu: Mt. Shirouma, Shimo-Niikawagun. On soil. 2700 m. Leg. H. Shibuichi (no. 7159), 6.8.1982, det. H. Kashiwadani. EX S. KUROKAWA AND H. KASHIWADANI LICHENES RARIORES ET CRITICI NR. 604.

Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[KU656], Svalbard. Spitzbergen. Bohemanflya. On ground in rich humus, 100-200 m. Leg. H. Kashiwadani (no 23350), 1.8.1985, det. H. Kashiwadani. EX S. KUROKAWA AND H. KASHIWADANI LICHENES RARIORES ET CRITICI EXSICCATI NR. 656.

Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[KU656], Svalbard. Spitzbergen. Bohemanflya. On ground in rich humus, 100-200 m. Leg. H. Kashiwadani (no 23350), 1.8.1985, det. H. Kashiwadani. EX S. KUROKAWA AND H. KASHIWADANI LICHENES RARIORES ET CRITICI EXSICCATI NR. 656.

Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[OH529], Norway. Svalbard. Spitsbergen. 3 km WSW of Ny-Alesund, Kongsfjorden. On ground with mosses, 50-100 m. Leg. H. Kashiwadani (no.23147), 24.7.1985, det. H. Kashiwadani. EX Y. OHMURA LICHENES MINUS COGNITI EXSICCATI NR. 529.

Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[OH529], Norway. Svalbard. Spitsbergen. 3 km WSW of Ny-Alesund, Kongsfjorden. On ground with mosses, 50-100 m. Leg. H. Kashiwadani (no.23147), 24.7.1985, det. H. Kashiwadani. EX Y. OHMURA LICHENES MINUS COGNITI EXSICCATI NR. 529.

Felix Schumm - CC BY 4.0
[OH552], Japan. Honshu. Prov. Rikuchu (Pref. Twate): Mt. Hayachine. Hienuki-gon. Among mosses on soil, 1800 m. Leg. H. Shibuichi (mo. 8340) & Y. Yoshida, 31.7.1987, det. H. Shibuichi. EX Y. OHMURA LICHENES MINUS COGNITI EXSICCATI NR.552.

DOLICHENS