These lichens have a branching thallus, some with bushy or erect appearance. There are 27 indigenous genera of which the largest is Cladonia, with 70 species. Cl. chlorphoea and Cl. pyxidata have erect podetia bearing brown apothecia, while on Cl. coccifera and Cl. deformis the apothecia are scarlet. There are three species of Cladia, the coral lichen, with masses of white or grey branches. The commonest is C. aggregata, found in all parts of this country.
Stereocaulon has nine indigenous species, both large and small, the most common being S. ramulosum and S. corticulatum, which frequently cover roadside banks. There are over 20 indigenous species of Usnea, some of which are bushy and erect while others are thread-like and pendulous, mainly grey-green or yellow in colour. The four species of Neuropogon found here are distinguished by black tips to the yellow or grey branching portions. The genus Sphaerophorus is represented here by five species, two with a flattened green thallus, while S. tener is a bushy lichen on forest trees, with black apothecia.