Cladonia cristatella Tuck.
British soldiers, cup lichen, British Soliders
About plant names...
British soldier lichen, with its brilliant red caps, is named for the army of British “redcoats”
who invaded colonial America. The red caps are apothecia —spore-producing bodes.
These lichens are widespread through eastern North America.
Identification: These lichens are fruticose , which simply
means that they look like tiny shrubs. They are less than 1″ (2.5 cm) high, and are found on disturbed ground
(for example, along areas cleared for high tension power lines) or on decaying wood. I often see moss
nearby. Lipstick powderhorn (Cladonia macilenta) and
red-fruited pixie cups (Cladonia pleurota) also
have red tops, the former are tall and narrow and the latter are goblet-shaped.
Online References:
Stephen Sharnoff Photography
Tom Volk's Fungi site, at the Department of Biology at the University of Wisconsin
Islandcreekes.fcps.edu
Botanyphoto.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca
Wikimedia Commons
References:
Walewski, Joe, Lichens of the North Woods , Kollath+Stensaas Publishing, 2007 , p. 44
5/7/2023 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine
5/7/2023 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine
5/7/2023 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine
6/8/2012 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)
9/14/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)
9/14/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)
8/17/2020 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)
4/6/2021 · Otter Brook Trail, Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (14 × 10 cm)
Cladonia cristatella description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 4 Aug 2023.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
4/6/2021 · Otter Brook Trail, Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 8.7 cm)
8/16/2014 · Arethusa Falls, White Mountains, New Hampshire · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)
5/4/2023 · Tarbox Preserve, Topsham, Maine
4/6/2021 · Otter Brook Trail, Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 8.7 cm)
3/10/1985 · Dunstable, Massachusetts
4/7/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 3½ × 2½″ (9.8 × 6.6 cm)
5/11/2013 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)
4/7/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm)
9/14/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)
Range:
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