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boreal cup lichen

Scientific Name: Cladonia borealis

Family: Cladoniaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Boreal Cup Lichen (Cladonia borealis)

Considerations for Pets

  • This lichen has scale-like structures.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cladonia borealis S. Stenroos
  • Common Names: Boreal Cup Lichen, Boreal Pixie-cup Lichen
  • Family: Cladoniaceae
  • Group: Lichen
  • Synonyms: Plomp bekermos, Cladonie borale

Distribution and Habitat

  • Found in boreal forests.
  • Observed in regions like Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, Quebec (Canada), and potentially New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Often upright with basal scale-like structures and cups.
  • Podetia: 10-40 mm tall, yellowish green.
  • Cups: up to 1 cm wide.
  • Bases: ochraceous.

Ecological Role

  • A primary food source for reindeer and caribou.
  • Provides important ground cover for the northern boreal forest.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Grows among mosses.

Quirky Facts

  • Cup lichens, including Cladonia borealis, are pioneer species that generally return after fires in boreal lichen woodlands.