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star reindeer lichen
Scientific Name: Cladina stellaris
Family: Cladoniaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Reindeer Lichen (Cladonia and Cladina Species)
This section provides information about reindeer lichen, specifically focusing on Cladonia rangiferina and Cladonia stellaris (syn. Cladina stellaris), including their characteristics, habitat, and uses.
Considerations for Pets
- Reindeer lichen can be found in a variety of environments, including gardens and forests, potentially making it accessible to pets.
Scientific Name and Common Names
- Scientific Name: Cladonia rangiferina, Cladonia stellaris (syn. Cladina stellaris)
- Common Names: Reindeer Lichen, Reindeer Moss, Caribou Moss, Star-Tipped Reindeer Lichen, Star Reindeer Lichen, Northern Reindeer Lichen, Yellow Reindeer Lichen.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Cladoniaceae
- Kingdom: (Not specified in text, but implied to be Fungi)
- Rank: Species
- Synonyms:
- Cladina alpestris (L.) Nyl. (synonym for Cladonia stellaris based on "Synonyms: = Cladina alpestris (L.) Nyl. = Cladonia alpestris (L.) Rabenh.")
- Cladonia alpestris (L.) Rabenh. (synonym for Cladonia stellaris based on "Synonyms: = Cladina alpestris (L.) Nyl. = Cladonia alpestris (L.) Rabenh.")
- Symbol: CLST60 (for Cladina stellaris)
Distribution and Habitat
- The text implies a distribution in Arctic and northern regions, including Alaska and Maine, and locations such as Sweden and Washington Co., Maryland.
- Found among talus boulders.
Ecological Role
- Cladonia stellaris is an ecologically important lichen species.
- It serves as a preferred food source for reindeer and caribou, especially during winter.
Morphological Characteristics
- Described as light-colored and fruticose.
- Cladonia stellaris forms mounds.
Quirky Facts
- Reindeer lichen has been used in high-end cuisine, such as deep-fried reindeer lichen with mushroom powder at the Noma restaurant in Copenhagen and as "crispy reindeer lichen" at Fviken in Sweden.
- Reindeer Lichen is not a moss, but a lichen.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Eaten by Reindeer and Caribou.
- Found alongside other lichens such as Arctic Kidney Lichen (Nephroma arcticum) and Alpine Reindeer Lichen (Cladonia stygia).
- Grows with Cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) leaves.
Further Information
- Stephen Sharnoff's Lichen Photos
- Mention of a US Forest Service database (http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/lichens/claspp/)