Cladonia rangiferina
Lichen, sometimes called reindeer lichen / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Cladonia rangiferina, also known as reindeer cup lichen,[2] reindeer lichen (cf. Sw. renlav) or grey reindeer lichen, is a light-colored fruticose, cup lichen species in the family Cladoniaceae. It grows in both hot and cold climates in well-drained, open environments. Found primarily in areas of alpine tundra, it is extremely cold-hardy.
Cladonia rangiferina | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
Order: | Lecanorales |
Family: | Cladoniaceae |
Genus: | Cladonia |
Species: | C. rangiferina |
Binomial name | |
Cladonia rangiferina | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Other common names include reindeer moss, deer moss, and caribou moss, but these names can be misleading since it is, though somewhat moss-like in appearance, not a moss. As the common names suggest, reindeer lichen is an important food for reindeer (caribou), and has economic importance as a result. Synonyms include Cladina rangiferina and Lichen rangiferinus.