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This is “take two” after my first Pixie Cup Lichen obs two days before, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36422663. I went back to the area for a closer look and hopefully better pictures. Back at home, I searched through all iNat Pixie Cup Lichen observations in California and tried to find a species that matches what I saw in the field.
It could be Rosette (C. pocillum) because of the mat-forming Thallus. (https://lichenportal.org/cnalh/taxa/index.php?taxon=53451&clid=1162, http://www.lichensmaritimes.org/index.php?task=fiche&lichen=304&lang=en).
I can’t rule out Mealy (C. chlorophaea). (https://lichenportal.org/cnalh/taxa/index.php?taxon=53388&clid=1212)
@j-dar had considered C. pulvinella (https://lichenportal.org/cnalh/taxa/index.php?taxon=53458&clid=1130).
It’s not Pebbled (C. pyxidata) because there are no distinct pebbles inside the cups. (https://ohiomosslichen.org/lichen-cladonia-pyxidata/)
It’s not Firm Cup (C. firma), because per lichenportal, C. firma’s podetia are rare and rarely proliferating from center. Plus j-dar had ruled it out too. (https://lichenportal.org/cnalh/taxa/index.php?taxon=Cladonia%20firma)
It’s not Western (C. asahinae) because the podetia are not flaring abruptly (https://lichenportal.org/cnalh/taxa/index.php?taxon=53371).
It’s not Trumpet (C. fimbriata), because of the shape and number of podetia. (https://lichenportal.org/cnalh/taxa/index.php?taxon=53409&clid=1102)
Over to the specialists, like @mossgeek, @j-dar, @catchang and @metsa. Thank you for your input!!