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Reindeer Lichen Comparison These two Cladonia species grow right next to each other. <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/72959/lichen_covered_rocks.html" title="Lichen Covered Rocks"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2839/72959_thumb.jpeg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=WQpLLu7%2FSF9Khr0Xep7hul%2BMA5M%3D" width="200" height="150" alt="Lichen Covered Rocks The majority of the lichens seen in this photo are either Cladonia mitis or C. rangiferina. The lichens are soggy and footing is a little tricky. Canada,Geotagged,Winter" /></a></figure> The one on the left is C. rangiferina, Gray Reindeer Lichen, which as the name suggests is a gray colour. It has a slightly bitter taste due to the fumarprotocetraric acid (who knew?). C. mitis, Ectomorphic Reindeer Lichen, has a pale yellowish cast and has a milder flavour. Mitis = mild. Neither lichen forms apothecia. All this information is from &ldquo;Macrolichens of the Pacific Northwest&rdquo;. The taste difference was personally confirmed.<br /> My wife says, &ldquo;You&rsquo;re likin&rsquo; lichens so much you&rsquo;re eatin&rsquo; them!&rdquo;. LOL Canada,Geotagged,Winter Click/tap to enlarge

Reindeer Lichen Comparison

These two Cladonia species grow right next to each other.

Lichen Covered Rocks The majority of the lichens seen in this photo are either Cladonia mitis or C. rangiferina. The lichens are soggy and footing is a little tricky. Canada,Geotagged,Winter
The one on the left is C. rangiferina, Gray Reindeer Lichen, which as the name suggests is a gray colour. It has a slightly bitter taste due to the fumarprotocetraric acid (who knew?). C. mitis, Ectomorphic Reindeer Lichen, has a pale yellowish cast and has a milder flavour. Mitis = mild. Neither lichen forms apothecia. All this information is from “Macrolichens of the Pacific Northwest”. The taste difference was personally confirmed.
My wife says, “You’re likin’ lichens so much you’re eatin’ them!”. LOL

    comments (5)

  1. View Christine Young's profile
    Christine Young
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Interesting! Posted 6 years ago
    1. View gary fast's profile
      gary fast
      Lion
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      But not very tasty! Posted 6 years ago
      1. View Christine Young's profile
        Christine Young
        Lion
        View Lion class
        Noooo, definitly not tasty...especially raw! Although, I've known people to go through lots of steps to prepare lichens for soups and desserts. Not worth it, in my opinion...unless it was a survival situation. Posted 6 years ago
        1. View gary fast's profile
          gary fast
          Lion
          View Lion class
          Yes, it seems that the lichens are naturally low in protein so reindeer actually lose weight in the winter because of it. We would also need the four chambered stomach and their bacteria to obtain any nutrition without the long preparation. You’re right, not worth it! Posted 6 years ago
          1. View Christine Young's profile
            Christine Young
            Lion
            View Lion class
            Interesting, I did not know that! Posted 6 years ago

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By gary fast

All rights reserved
Uploaded Jan 21, 2019. Captured Jan 21, 2019 13:55 in 315 Whaletown Rd, Whaletown, BC V0P 1Z0, Canada.
country flag of Canada Explore Canada 1,925 859 0
  • E-M5MarkII
  • f/14.0
  • 1/160s
  • ISO1000
  • 40mm
Captured in the winter. More winter photos.