Macro of British Soldier lichen (Cladonia cristatella)
British Soldier moss is also known as matchstick moss...but it's not a moss at all. It's a lichen - actually two plants a fungus and an algae living together to each other's benefit. Each soldier can grow to be about 1 inch (25 mm) tall.
British soldiers on top of an upright fence post
High humidity, low light and cool temperatures are what this lichen likes. These British soldiers were growing on dead wood (an upright fence post).
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24 comments:
Very interesting. Named, I suppose, because British soldiers wore red coats during the Revolutionary War????
Very cool! Never saw them before.
Matchstick - isn't that the most perfect title!
I've never heard of it. It's really neat looking.
Very interesting plant. And yes, the British army wore red coats throughout the Napoleonic era.
I didn't know that..I will have to get out and look for some...we've had the high humidity and tons of rain...Michelle
i have never heard it called british soldiers. great macro.
Neat! Excellent images. I was walking in the woods near my house recently and took a photo of some cypress trees with red lichen. It only grew on about 5 or 6 trees in the whole area which is odd. I'll post that photo soon.
They look like the crowns on top of a rooster. SAme look, same colour.
Interesting and amazing.
Great shots, I have never seen any like that but interesting that you seem to have been "down on the ground" as me for this weeks MM :-)
Now this is so outstanding a macro monday, I'm without words. Amazing photography.
My Macro Monday is a bit on the odd side today...would you believe bricks?!! But it's all explained below the photos. Here. Come visit with me if you can. Have a great week.
What a fascinating symbiosis! I've never seen or heard of this 'moss' - it looks very colourful.
I love aquilegias - but ours aren't visited by hummingbirds, more's the pity :-)
Very interesting. I think it would scare me a little if I came across it tho. I mean, RED moss stuff? Eeeee.
Darla (maybe I read to many mysteries)
I've seen different lichens but not this one. I will have to take a better look. Very interesting. MB
Oh - I have never seen this before :) A little piece of artistic work by nature :)
http://foto.rudenius.se/post/2010/06/07/Macro-Monday-e28093-Macro-Feet.aspx
I have never heard of these before. I like thier name, and the story behind it. Cool photos!!
Never seen this stuff, never heard of it...although I do remember something about British soldiers! It's pretty even if a bit weird.
A moss and a lichen wow that is interesting. Never see them yet. happy Monday!
Macro Monday-Frog
Interesting! Great macro Monday shot! Thanks for sharing!
Interesting! learn something new today.
LOL! I love comments. I would agree with Ann, roosters' crown. But my first thoughts were the color of the uniform of the soldiers.
I have never seen this before, at least not that I noticed. Very interesting.
Makes me want to go out and photograph lichen. Love the red color!
Those are wild looking, quite the bunch of red coats :).
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