In Hell, Looking up at Heaven

Cladonia fimbriata

Trumpet lichen

Here she is y'all, the big one, the most classic of all classic lichens, the quintessential Cladonia, you know her, you love her, C. fimbriata! *tiny fanfare emits out of these tiny little lichen trumpets* This gorgeous creature can be found growing on wood and organic soil in mossy or disturbed areas in both suburban and woodland environments. It isn't as picky about growing conditions as some of the other Cladonias, so long as its got a little shade and enough water, it can be found in suburban environments, woodlands, heaths, dunes, and even tundra worldwide. Here's a picture I snapped of one recently growing on a garden fence in Iceland:

You can recognize C. fimbriata by its abundant, farinose soredia on the basal squamules and on the tall, thin podetial stalks topped by trumpet-shaped scyphi (cups).

images: source | source | source | source

All kinds of spring Herbs and Grasses - Paula von Goeschen-Rösler , 1917.

German , 1875-1941