Deutschl. Fl. 2: 125 (1796).

Basionym: Lichen squamosus Scop., Fl. Carniol., Edn 2 (Wien) 2: 368 (1772).

Type locality: Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige ("Tirolia orientalis"), Prov. Bolzano, Val di Pusteria, Castelrarre (Ehrenburg), E. Kernstock in Kerner: Fl. Exs. Austro-Hung. 3525 (H - lectotype). Lectotypified by Ahti (1993: 95).

Chemistry: Squamatic acid, traces of barbatic acid (Etayo & Burgaz 1997: 724).

Note: Ahti (1993: 95) and Etayo & Burgaz (1997: 724) cites the author as "Cladonia squamosa Hoffm.".
There is a variety:
Cladonia squamosa var. subsquamosa (Nyl. ex Leight.) Vain., Meddeland. Soc. Fauna Fl. Fenn. 6: 113 (1881). Basionym: Cladonia delicata var. subsquamosa Nyl. ex Leight., Lich. Fl. Gr. Brit.: 59 (1871). Great Britain, England, Leicestershire, W. A. Leighton, Lich. Brit. Exs. 405 (H - lectotype; BM, UPS - isolectotypes).