About:
A fruticose lichen with red reproductive structures and taller than 4 mm.
Habitat:
C. cristatella can be found in the Eastern United States, spanning from Florida up into Canada and from the coast to the Mississippi River. This fruticose lichen is found primarily on the ground but can be found on rocks or on bark at the base of trees.
History:
This lichen was first described scientifically in 1858 by American botanist Edward Tuckerman.
They were dubbed "British Soldier lichen" due to their red apothecia that resemble the red hats donned by the British during the American Revolutionary War.
Structure:
Cladonia cristatella is a fruticose lichen with red apothecia, taller than 4 mm.
The primary thallus is continuous and is not blackened at the base. The color of the thallus can range from green-yellow to green-gray. The outer surface (cortex) with or without squamules and podetia that do not have cup-like structures.
The color of the thallus and the abundance of squamules are variable based on light exposure. Those found shadier areas have more squamules and have a thallus that is grayer, whereas those found in open and exposed areas have a yellow tint to the thallus and have fewer squamules.
Fun Fact!
-This lichen is known for being used by Native American tribes and early settlers to naturally die cloth, including heavy wools.
-Insects can use the lichen structures for shelter and whitetail deer, turkeys, and voles all use them as a source of food.
Reference List:
-Casselman, K. D. 2003. Lichen dyes: the new source book. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications Inc.; [accessed 2020 May 4]. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486412318/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0486412318&linkCode=as2&tag=nortcounfarm-20&linkId=WD5YOBHRHLBCO52F#reader_0486412318
-Cladonia cristatella. Consortium of North American Lichen Herbaria. [accessed 2020 May 4].https://lichenportal.org/cnalh/taxa/index.php?taxon=Cladonia+cristatella&formsubmit=Search+Terms
-Cladonia cristatella. Consortium of North American Lichen Herbaria. CNALH - Google Map. [accessed 2020 May 4]. https://lichenportal.org/cnalh/collections/map/googlemap.php?usethes=1&taxa=53394
- Crampton, L. Lichens and People: Uses, Benefits, and Potential Dangers. Owlcation. 2020 Apr 20 [accessed 2020 May 4]. https://owlcation.com/stem/Lichens-and-People-Surprising-Interesting-and-Helpful-Uses