The quantitative distribution of five lichen acids, including fumarprotocetraric acid, in seven specimens of Australian scyphose Cladonia species was determined by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography, using butylated hydroxy-toluene as internal standard. The highest concentrations of lichen acids were found in the scyphi and it is suggested that this localized distribution of lichen acids is due to repeated upward capillary flow, of saturated solutions of the acids, in the podetia followed by evaporation in the upper parts of the podetia.