#Cladonia rangiformis

[lichenaday]

Introducing the BLAM Lichen of the Year for 2023 . . .

Cladonia rangiformis

False reindeer lichen

The Bryologisch-lichenologische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Mitteleuropa e. V. has selected C. rangiformis to represent us all this year for its endurance in rugged, nutrient-poor habitats, where it oft forms large, dense cushions that grow quickly for lichens, and even outcompete mosses and grasses as the dominant vegetation cover in alkaline, calcareous, and "skeletal" soils. It has richly-branched podetia above a squamulose basal thallus, and is pale gray, gray-green, or tan in coloration. It occasionally forms small, bulbous, dark red-brown apothecia at the ends of the branches. Unlike a lot of similarly bushy Cladonia look-alikes, it grows in sunny, open, temperate areas that are relatively dry. This potentially makes it a good species to grow on rooftops and other liminal spaces that could use some "greening," helping to mitigate urban heat island effects and cycling CO2.

Taking inspiration from C. ranigiformis, I suggest we head into the year 2023 with ingenuity and resilience, looking for ways we can use our unique talents to make the world a better place! Happy New Year, and let's all do what we can to make it a good one, yeah? For me, for you, for everyone else, and especially for lichens.

images and info: source

[information and photo cred to Wolfgang von Brackel and Martin Nebel of BLAM e.V.]

[blogbirdfeather]

Cladonia rangiformis

Lisboa/Portugal (12/02/2024)

[Nikon D850; AF 105mm Micro-Nikkor F2,8 with Circular Flash Nissin MF 18; 1/250s; F22; 400 ISO]

[blogbirdfeather]

False Reindeer Moss - Cladónia-das-renas (Cladonia rangiformis)

Alcochete/Portugal (16/11/2023)

[Nikon D850; ∑150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro with Flash Nissin Di 700A; 1/250s; F16; 400 ISO]