# Reindeer Lichen (*Cladonia arbuscula (Wallr.) Flot.*)

Reindeer lichen is a special type of fungus that looks like tiny reindeer antlers. It grows on rocks and soil in cold places like the Arctic and mountain regions.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Mountain regions
- **Also known as:** Cladonia rangiferina

![Reindeer Lichen](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cladonia_arbuscula.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Ed Uebel, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cladonia_arbuscula.jpg)

## Appearance

The Reindeer Lichen is a spongy, highly branched organism with a distinctive grayish-white or greenish-gray color. It forms dense, carpet-like mats that resemble miniature coral or a tiny, frosted shrub. Its intricate structure helps it trap moisture.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Ascomycota
- **Class:** Lecanoromycetes
- **Order:** Lecanorales
- **Family:** Cladoniaceae
- **Genus:** Cladonia

## Interesting facts

- Ancient cultures sometimes used this lichen to make dyes for clothing.
- It grows incredibly slowly, sometimes less than a centimeter per year!
- Reindeer lichen isn't one living thing, but two! A fungus and an algae work together.
- This spongy lichen can soak up astonishing amounts of water, like a living sponge!

## Special abilities

- **Drought Defiance:** Reindeer Lichen can survive extreme dryness by entering a dormant state, which helps them live in harsh, water-scarce environments.
- **Cold Crusader:** Reindeer Lichen has a unique metabolism that allows it to photosynthesize at very low temperatures, helping it thrive in Arctic regions.
- **Air Quality Monitor:** Reindeer Lichen can absorb nutrients and pollutants directly from the air, helping scientists measure air quality.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 3-10 cm
- **Edible:** edible
- **Growth Substrate:** soil
- **Season:** Year-round

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Reindeer/Caribou (*Rangifer tarandus*) — Main food source for reindeer in winter when snow covers plants.
- **Eaten by:** [Bighorn Sheep](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bighorn-sheep) (*Ovis canadensis*) — Occasional food for bighorn sheep in high alpine environments.
- **Eaten by:** [Snowshoe Hare](https://www.snappit.app/explore/snowshoe-hare) (*Lepus americanus*) — Snowshoe hares might nibble on it during harsh winters.

## Traits

- [Lichen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/lichen): This trait describes a composite organism resulting from a symbiotic association between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, typically an alga or cyanobacterium.
- [Nonvascular](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nonvascular): This trait characterizes plants lacking specialized vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) for transporting water and nutrients.
- [Cold Hardy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage.
- [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.
- [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
- [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Reindeer lichen is safe to observe but should not be touched or eaten.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Reindeer Lichen?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Reindeer Lichen?

3-10 cm

### Is Reindeer Lichen edible?

edible

### Where is Reindeer Lichen usually found?

Mountain regions

### What does Reindeer Lichen grow on?

soil

### When is Reindeer Lichen in season?

Year-round

## Where to spot

- [Francis Point Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/francis-point-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Reindeer Lichen: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/reindeer-lichen)