Lipstick Cladonia

Description:

A medium-sized, upright club lichen, 10 - 20 mm tall Pale greenish grey/white colums with blunt bright red tips (the lipstick)

Habitat:

This particular patch was found on a large moss and lichen covered rock hilltop. Full sun late morning and early afternoon, but protected somewhat by the taller coniferous forest surrounding it. The hilltop was quite dry, with the only moisture sources being rain and dew captured in the moss/lichen covering the rock. The picture was taken in June, 2011 at end of a late spring.