''Cladonia'' is a genus of moss-like lichenized fungi in the family (biology), family Cladoniaceae. They are the primary food source for reindeer/caribou. ''Cladonia'' species are of economic importance to reindeer-herders, such as the Sami people, Sami in Scandinavia or the Nenets people, Nenets in Russia. Antibiotic compounds are extracted from some species to create antibiotic cream. The light green species ''Cladonia stellaris'' is used in flower decorations.
Although the phylogeny of the genus ''Cladonia'' is still under investigation, two main morphological groups are commonly differentiated by taxonomists: the ''Cladonia'' morpho-type and the ''Cladina'' morpho-type. The ''Cladonia'' morpho-type has many more species, and is generally described as a group of squamulose (grow from squamules), cup-bearing lichens. The ''Cladina'' morpho-types are often referred to as forage lichens, mat-forming lichens, or reindeer lichens (due to their importance as caribou winter forage).
''Cladonia perforata'' ("perforate cladonia") is one of two on the United States, U.S. Endangered Species List, and it should never be collected. It exists only in a few small populations in Florida.
Several ''Cladonia'' species grow on sand dunes. The presence, and luxuriant carpet-like growth, of ''Cladonia'' species is one of the defining characters of grey dune, a priority habitat (ecology), habitat for conservation under the European Union, E.U. Habitats Directive.
''Cladonia'' species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including ''Chionodes, Chionodes continuella''.
Selected species
Selected species of ''Cladonia'' include:
[Walewski. Joe (2007). ''Lichens of the North Woods.'' Duluth, MN: Kollath+Stensaas Publ.]
Gallery
Cladonia_apodocarpa_(EU).jpg, ''Cladonia apodocarpa''
Cladonia_caespiticia_(EU).jpg, ''Cladonia caespiticia''
Cladonia_coniocraea_(EU).jpg, ''Cladonia coniocraea'' – common powderhorn
Cladonia convoluta 090308.jpg, ''Cladonia convoluta''
Cladonia cristatella EPA.jpg, ''Cladonia cristatella'' – British soldiers
Cladonia_macilenta_9497.JPG, ''Cladonia macilenta'' var. ''bacillaris'' – lipstick cladonia
Cladonia macrophyllodes 109105.jpg, ''Cladonia macrophyllodes'' – large-leaved cladonia
Cladonia_grayi_complex_(EU).jpg, ''Cladonia grayi'' complex
Cladonia_parasitica_(EU).jpg, ''Cladonia parasitica''
Cladonia_peziziformis_(ECU).jpg, ''Cladonia peziziformis''
Cladonia_pleurota_(EU).jpg, ''Cladonia pleurota'' – red-fruited pixie cup
Cladonia_subcariosa_(EU).jpg, ''Cladonia subcariosa''
Cladonia_subtenuis_(EU).jpg, ''Cladonia subtenuis''
References
Anderson, R. (2009). ''Cladonia peziziformis'' (With.) J.R. Laundon (Lecanorales: Cladoniaceae) re-discovered in Co. Down. ''Ir. Nat. J.'' 30: 146.
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Cladonia,
Lecanorales genera
Lichen genera
Taxa described in 1756
{{Lecanorales-stub