World distribution: Cladonia imbricarica is known from South Dakota and Wyoming in North America (C.F. Culberson et al. 1985), Iceland (Kristinsson 1974) and Norway (Gjerlaug 1989)
Ecology: Discussion. The species was not investigated in the field, but information on its ecology at both the Norwegian sites is given by Gjerlaug (1989): The species occurred on sand and gravel on unstable ground, one on a fresh roadcut. Associated lichen species were Cladonia acuminata, C. pyxidata, and Stereocaulon glareosum. The Norwegian localities were situated in Pinus sylvestris forest in the continental part of southern Norway. Judging from the Norwegian localities, the species seems to be a pioneer lichen on open sand and gravel of not too acidic origin. The Norwegian sites (and the North American as well) are clearly continental
Threats: Results. None. Discussion. Random extinction is a serious threat for species occurring as small or few populations. Spraying of roadside banks with herbicides and road construction are also possible threats to this species
Status: The collections were made in 1983 and 1985. No site was visited during the investigation period. Since open sand and gravel by no means are rare habitats in Norway, the species is likely to occur elsewhere. However, the species seems to be rare. There are no protected localities
Notes: The species belongs to the Cladonia chlorophaea complex which comprises a number of chemical strains/species with only slightly associated morphological characters. The taxa can often only be recognized by their chemistries, and the distribution of C. imbricarica is not well known..
Specimens in other herbaria, litterature, etc.