categoryZLichens Lichens List 

RED CREST [Lichen]

BRITISH SOLDIER

Cladonia cristatella

Cladonia Family [Cladoniaceae]  

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category8Lichens
 

10th Feb 2006, Greenfield, Greater Manchester. Photo: © RWD


6th Feb 2008, Greenfield, Greater Manchester. Photo: © RWD
The bright scarlet-red tips are the fruiting bodies of the lichen.


6th Feb 2008, Greenfield, Greater Manchester. Photo: © RWD
The tube-like protuberances are often tipped red.


6th Feb 2008, Greenfield, Greater Manchester. Photo: © RWD


6th Feb 2008, Greenfield, Greater Manchester. Photo: © RWD
Sometimes it forms Golf-Tee like red-rimmed cup-shaped protuberances.


Distinguishing Feature : red-rimmed Golf-Tee shaped greyish green protuberances.

It is sometimes known as 'British Soldier' on account of the bright red 'coat' that the protuberances 'don'. The greyish green brittle lichen has a very scaly appearance. But the most notable feature is the red capping of short-stalked protuberances.

These specimens were all growing either on a south-facing wall or on rocks near Pots and Pans, at Greenfield, Greater Manchester. Red Crest obviously enjoys a moist environment, for most of these are growing with mosses of various varieties.


  Cladonia cristatella  ⇐ Global Aspect ⇒ Cladoniaceae  

RED CREST [Lichen]

BRITISH SOLDIER

Cladonia cristatella

Cladonia Family [Cladoniaceae]  

family8Cladonia family8Cladoniaceae genus8Cladonia