page_title: Cladonia rangiferina
hierarchical_section_title: Cladonia rangiferina
caption_attribution_description: Català: Vista de C. rangiferina. English: Top view of C. rangiferina.
context_page_description: Cladonia rangiferina, also known as reindeer lichen, grey reindeer lichen, or reindeer moss, is a light-colored, fruticose species of lichen, belonging to the family Cladoniaceae. It grows in both hot and cold climates in well-drained, open environments. Found primarily in areas of alpine tundra, it is extremely cold-hardy.
  Other common names include reindeer moss, deer moss, and caribou moss, but these names can be misleading since it is, though somewhat moss- like in appearance, not a moss. As the common names suggest, reindeer lichen is an important food for reindeer, and has economic importance as a result. Synonyms include Cladina rangiferina and Lichen rangiferinus.
  Reindeer lichen, like many lichens, is slow growing and may take decades to return once overgrazed, burned, trampled, or otherwise damaged.
  Conversely, a similar-looking but distinct species, also known by the common name "reindeer lichen", is Cladonia portentosa.
context_section_description: Cladonia rangiferina, also known as reindeer lichen (cf. Sw. renlav), grey reindeer lichen, or (misleadingly) reindeer moss, is a light-colored, fruticose species of lichen, belonging to the family Cladoniaceae. It grows in both hot and cold climates in well-drained, open environments. Found primarily in areas of alpine tundra, it is extremely cold-hardy.
  Other common names include reindeer moss, deer moss, and caribou moss, but these names can be misleading since it is, though somewhat moss- like in appearance, not a moss. As the common names suggest, reindeer lichen is an important food for reindeer (caribou), and has economic importance as a result. Synonyms include Cladina rangiferina and Lichen rangiferinus.
  Reindeer lichen, like many lichens, is slow growing (3–11 mm per year) and may take decades to return once overgrazed, burned, trampled, or otherwise damaged.
  Conversely, a similar-looking but distinct species, also known by the common name "reindeer lichen", is Cladonia portentosa.
caption: Top view of C. rangiferina
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