The 12 species included in the so-called Cladonia coccifera group are C. borealis Stenroos~ sp. nova, C. coccifera (L.) Willd., C. pleurota (Flörke) Schaerer, C. diversa Asperges, C. granulans Vainio, C. carneola (Fr.) Fr., C. metacorallifera Asah., C. lepidophora Ahti & Kashiw., C. meridensis Ahti & Stenroos, C. leprocephala Ahti·& Stenroos, C. brasiliensis (Nyl.) Vainio and C. corallifera (Kunze) Nyl. The frrst six species are discussed in more detail. The species reduced to synonymy include C. austrogeorgica Dodge (=C. carneola), C. blakei Robbins (=C. coccifera) and C. pseudodigitata Gyelnik (=C. coccifera). A lectotype is selected for Baeomyces cocciferus [var.] B. asoteus Ach. A key to all the 12 species is presented and the distribution of five species is mapped. The phenolic and other compounds in the species are reported. Key words: Aromatic lichen substances, Cladonia coccifera, lichen, taxonomy