Pyxie Cup (Lichen)

Description:

Cladonia asahinae is a species of lichen in the family Cladoniaceae. It grows on moss, particularly Chorisodontium aciphyllum, Polytrichum strictum, and Andreaea species. Lichens are pioneer plants which usually grow where other plants do not furnish competition.

Habitat:

These slow-growing, long-lived, sun-loving plants flourish in fold, dry climates - where ever air is clean and unpolluted. Lichen are "dual organism" being composed of two kinds of plants - a fungus and an alga. These seem to live together for mutual benefit (symbiosis).