Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Trumpet Lichen


Even on the dreariest of days, nature always has something to lift the spirit...

Trumpet Lichen (Cladonia fimbriata) is found on moist soil or rotting wood in spaces that receive full or partial sun.

The trumpet or splash cup assists in spreading the lichen's spore which are located in small packets on the end of the trumpet's rim.  When the rains fall, the raindrops splash in the cups helping to disperse the spores.

Or, one could imagine tiny imaginary creatures drinking magical brews from these delicate "pixie cups".  (True pixie cups are actually a different group of lichens).