Cladonia

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''Cladonia'' is a genus of moss-like lichenized fungi in the family Cladoniaceae. They are the primary food source for reindeer/caribou. ''Cladonia'' species are of economic importance to reindeer-herders, such as the Sami in Scandinavia or the Nenets in Russia. Antibiotic compounds are extracted from some species to create antibiotic cream. The light green species ''Cladonia stellaris'' is used in flower decorations.

Although the phylogeny of the genus ''Cladonia'' is still under investigation, two main morphological groups are commonly differentiated by taxonomists: the ''Cladonia'' morpho-type and the ''Cladina'' morpho-type. The ''Cladonia'' morpho-type has many more species, and is generally described as a group of squamulose (grow from squamules), cup-bearing lichens. The ''Cladina'' morpho-types are often referred to as forage lichens, mat-forming lichens, or reindeer lichens (due to their importance as caribou winter forage).

''Cladonia perforata'' ("perforate cladonia") is one of two on the U.S. Endangered Species List, and it should never be collected. It exists only in a few small populations in Florida.

Several ''Cladonia'' species grow on sand dunes. The presence, and luxuriant carpet-like growth, of ''Cladonia'' species is one of the defining characters of grey dune, a priority habitat for conservation under the E.U. Habitats Directive.

''Cladonia'' species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including ''Chionodes continuella''. Provided by Wikipedia