Cladonia cristatella

Family: Cladoniaceae

British Soldier Lichen (Cladonia cristatella) is one of the most easily recognized lichens in eastern North America, distinguished by its bright red fruiting bodies perched atop slender stalks. These vivid apothecia resemble tiny caps or helmets, giving rise to the species’ common name.

It is a characteristic lichen of decaying wood in moist woodlands, often appearing in small but visually striking colonies.

Description

The thallus consists of two parts:

• A basal squamulose layer of small, gray-green to pale green scales
• Upright podetia (stalks) that terminate in scarlet to crimson apothecia

The stalks are typically slender and unbranched, sometimes slightly swollen near the top. Apothecia are smooth to slightly irregular and remain intensely colored even in shaded conditions.

Unlike many Cladonia species, C. cristatella does not produce cups at the tips of the podetia.

Substrate and Habitat

Cladonia cristatella grows primarily on:

• Decaying wood, including rotting logs and stumps
• Occasionally on organic soil rich in decomposed plant material

It favors cool, moist, shaded environments, especially mature forests with abundant fallen wood.

Identification Notes

Key field characters include:

• Bright red apothecia at the tips of slender stalks
• Absence of cup-shaped podetia
• Growth on rotting wood rather than bare soil

The species may be confused with Scarlet-fruited Pixie Cup (Cladonia coccifera), but that species has distinct cup-shaped podetia, whereas C. cristatella does not.

Ecology and Notes

The vivid red coloration of the apothecia is thought to deter herbivory and may provide protection from environmental stress. Like other Cladonia species, C. cristatella contributes to nutrient cycling during wood decomposition.

Because it depends on decaying wood, this species benefits from natural forest processes and is less common in heavily managed or disturbed landscapes.

References

• Brodo, I. M., Sharnoff, S. D., & Sharnoff, S. (2001). Lichens of North America
• Minnesota Seasons
• Consortium of Lichen Herbaria