Store-SkagastølstindScandinavian Mountains over 2000 metres - James Baxter
Flora & Fauna › Algae, Lichen & Moss › Red Soldier Lichen
Cladonia bellidiflora, Red Soldier Lichen, Blomsterlav.
This fruticose lichen is well known and found in forests, especially coniferous, and moorland areas.
The lichen feeds off fallen logs and stumps, breaking them down and putting the nutrients back into the soil. This lichen, like most, also fixes nitrogen from the air and puts it into the soil.
The bright red cap is the fruiting body (apothecia) and is formed by the fungal component only.