Reindeer Lichen

Description:

In parts of Florida you will see grey-green, cloud-like clusters of reindeer lichen on the ground. It is a very slow growing lichen and large mats may take decades to develop. Fire kills this lichen, so if you see large carpets of Cladoina, it is an indication that the area has not been burned for a long time. Reindeer lichen has no roots and gets all its moisture from the air – when the weather is dry it is brittle and crunchy, after rain it can be as soft as a cotton ball.

Habitat:

This reindeer lichen was spotted on the Gulf of Mexico beach dunes at Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa, Florida.