Cladonia cristatella, commonly known as the British soldiers lichen or the British soldiers cup lichen, is a fruticose, cup lichen belonging to the family Cladoniaceae. The species was first described scientifically by American botanist Edward Tuckerman in 1858. This lichen may be confused with other red-topped lichens including Cladonia leporina and Cladonia incrassata.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of British soldier lichen being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Cladonia floerkeana
- Cladonia didyma
- Cladonia coccifera
- Cladonia incrassata
- Cladonia macilenta
- Cladonia ravenelii
Classification
- Kingdom
- Fungi
- Phylum
- Ascomycota
- Class
- Lecanoromycetes
- Order
- Lecanorales
- Family
- Cladoniaceae
- Genus
- Cladonia
- Species
- Cladonia cristatella
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