British Soldier Lichen

Cladonia cristatella

British Soldier Lichen is instantly recognizable by its vivid scarlet to crimson fruiting bodies, which rise above a subdued green-gray basal thallus. The bright red apothecia resemble tiny caps or helmets, giving the species its evocative common name.

This lichen typically grows on decaying wood, old stumps, and rotting logs, often forming scattered colonies that punctuate mosses and other lichens with intense color.

For identification details and ecological notes, see the British Soldier Lichen Field Notes.

British Soldier Lichen on decaying wood
Bright red fruiting bodies atop green podetia.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens: EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Settings: ISO 400 • Aperture f/8 • Shutter 1/25 s
E21A6505 • Size: 4170×2780