Southern Soldiers (Cladonia didyma)

Southern Soldiers, a reference photo — Photo: This image was created by user Chris Parrish (kitparrish) at Mushroom Observer, a source for mycological images.You can contact this user here. · CC BY-SA 3.0 (licence)

Cladonia didyma is a fruticose lichen, commonly known as southern soldiers, belonging to the family Cladoniaceae, which include fungal symbionts under the Ascomycota phylum with characteristic red ascocarps containing sexually reproductive asci.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it poisonous?

We have no record of Southern Soldiers 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 cristatella
Cladonia incrassata
Cladonia macilenta
Cladonia bellidiflora
Cladonia transcendens

Classification

Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Cladoniaceae
Genus: Cladonia
Species: Cladonia didyma

Found one? Take a photo and B.inomen will suggest what it is, free.

Check your photo

More species