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cup lichen

Scientific Name: Cladonia subsquamosa

Family: Cladoniaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Cup Lichen (Cladonia spp.)

Cup lichens, belonging to the genus Cladonia, are fascinating organisms found in diverse environments. Often described as moss-like, these lichens are not plants but a symbiotic partnership between fungi and algae.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text describes some species having upright fruiting stalks or small cup-like structures that might be interesting for pets to investigate.

Considerations for Children

  • The lichen is described as having "pixie cup" shapes, miniature golf-tee shapes (podetia), or "Shrek's Ears" shapes that might be appealing to children.
  • Some species have small cup-like structures arising from its body.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Cladonia (genus)
  • Common Names: Cup lichen, Pixie cup lichen, Trumpet Lichen, British Soldier Lichen, Elf Cup Lichen

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Genus: Cladonia
  • Family: Cladoniaceae
  • Note: The scientific name of a lichen refers to its fungal component.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Cup lichens are found in a variety of habitats, including:
    • Forest floors, typically on logs or at the base of trees
    • Mossy areas, particularly where Chorisodontium moss grows
    • Rock outcrops
    • Boreal forests
    • Exposed subalpine sites with poor soils and fallen logs
    • Wet lowlands, such as the Olympic Peninsula
    • Devonian Red Sandstone boulders

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Cladonia lichens are often described as moss-like in appearance.
  • They can exhibit upright fruiting stalks.
  • The "pixie cup" varieties feature tiny cup-shaped structures, typically around 1/2 inch high.
  • Podetia (stalks) can be funnel-shaped, tapering towards the base.
  • Some species have cup-like growths that are unbranched, round-toothed, and curled.

Ecological Role

  • Cladonia species serve as a primary food source for reindeer and caribou.

Quirky Facts

  • Some describe their appearance as being shaped like "Shrek's Ears" or miniature golf tees.
  • Historically, when boiled with milk or syrup, some cup lichens have been used as a remedy for whooping cough and chest ailments.