
Southern Soldiers Lichen (Cladonia didyma)
Growing in moss on a hillside.
Red-tipped, minty green lichen with some darkening of the podetia. The podetia are 10-30mm long with red caps called apothecia--which are spore-bearing structures. The Cladonia genus is comprised of moss-like cup lichens. Lichens are composite organisms comprised of a fungus being inhabited by algae or cyanobacteria. According to NatureServe Explorer, Cladonia didyma's national status is N1 (critically imperiled).
Similar species: Lecanorales

By Lisa Kimmerling
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Uploaded Jan 31, 2019. Captured May 6, 2018 10:37 in 151 W Main St, Collinsville, AL 35961, USA.
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