Cladina stellaris

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Common Name

Star-tipped Reindeer Lichen; Star Reindeer Lichen; Star-nosed Reindeer Lichen

Family

Cladoniaceae

Genus

Cladina

Species

stellaris

Synonyms

Cladonia stellaris: Cladonia alpestris; Cenomyce stellaris

Location Found

University of Waterloo

Growth Structure

Fruticose

Habitat

Commonly found on the ground and in heath.

Environmental Monitoring

It is an indicator species for acid rain in the environment.

Lab Storage

Comments

Extremely important winter food for animals as it is preferred to all other reindeer lichens. It is also a source of usnic acid which is used to make topical ointments due to its antibiotic properties.

References

Brodo et al, 2001.; Consortium of North American Lichen Herbaria (CNALH), n.d.; Newmaster & Ragupathy, 2012.; Thormann, 2006.