British Soldiers
(Cladonia cristatella)
Conservation • Description • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | not listed |
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| NatureServe | NNR - Unranked |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Description
The large size, gray, branching stalks, and red caps make this possibly the most recognized species of lichen in North America.
Similar Species
Lipstick Powderhorn (Cladonia macilenta) has a single stalk that ends in a red cap.
Ecology
Substrate
Ground
Growth Form
Fruticose
Habitat
Wet to dry. Low light to 90% ambient light. Pollution tolerant.
Hosts
Decaying wood, leafy debris, soil, mossy logs, tree bases, and stumps.
Distribution |
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Sources Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 9/29/2025). |
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| 9/29/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Widespread and common |
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Taxonomy
Kingdom
Fungi (fungi)
Subkingdom
Dikarya
Phylum
Ascomycota (sac fungi)
Subphylum
Pezizomycotina (sac fungi amd lichens)
Class
Lecanoromycetes (common lichens)
Subclass
Lecanoromycetidae (shield lichens, sunburst lichens, rosette lichens, and allies)
Order
Lecanorales (shield lichens, rim lichens, and allies)
Suborder
Lecanorineae
Family
Cladoniaceae (spindles and structured lichens)
Genus
Cladonia (pixie cup and reindeer lichens)
Mycobiont
Cladonia cristatella
Photobiont
Trebouxia erici
Subordinate Taxa
Synonyms
Common Names
British Soldier Lichen
British Soldier Lichens
British Soldiers
British soldiers cup lichen
Scarlet-crested Cladonia
Visitor Photos
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Luciearl |
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N. G. Carlson |
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Nancy Falkum |
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Dustin Hancock |
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Bill Reynolds |
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Crystal Boyd |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
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Slideshows
British Soldier Lichen
Andree Reno Sanborn
Visitor Videos
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Other Videos
British soldier lichen - Random Nature 5
Nature, Here and Now! - Chris Egnoto
Лишайник. British Soldier Lichen (Cladonia cristatella)
Olexia Pankivka,USA .
(Cladonia cristatella) British soldier lichen, Red soldier lichen.
Anangke
Visitor Sightings
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N. G. Carlson
10/25/2024
Location: Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve
Nancy Falkum
3/20/2022
Location: Kellogg Weaver Dunes SNA, Weaver Dunes Unit
Luciearl
March 2019
Location: Fairview Twp.
Dustin Hancock
10/12/2017
Location: Uncas Dunes SNA
Crystal Boyd
6/9/2013
Location: Uncas Dunes SNA
Bill Reynolds
8/1/2009
Location: Jack Pine forest - Lake County MN
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
