Cladonia cariosa is a species of fruticose lichen in the family Cladoniaceae. The species is characterised by its thick, tongue-shaped basal scales and upright grey-green stalks that lack the cup-like structures found in many related lichens, instead being topped with large chocolate-brown fruiting bodies. It has a cosmopolitan distribution and commonly grows on soil in both calcium-rich and calcium-poor sites across northern North America. The lichen is also known by the common names split-peg lichen and split-peg soldiers.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Split-peg 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 ramulosa
- Cladonia subcariosa
- Cladonia cervicornis
- Cladonia phyllophora
- Cladonia peziziformis
- Cladonia botrytes
Classification
- Kingdom
- Fungi
- Phylum
- Ascomycota
- Class
- Lecanoromycetes
- Order
- Lecanorales
- Family
- Cladoniaceae
- Genus
- Cladonia
- Species
- Cladonia cariosa
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