Cladonia sp. “Pixie Cup Lichen”
Olympic National Park, WA
June 6, 2013
Robert Niese
This easily recognizable lichen genus is one of my favorites. The tall cup-like structures for which the group is named are actually modified structures that release spores. Other members of the genus, such as Cladonia cristatella, the British Soldier Lichens, produce a bright red cap on each tall stem instead of a shallow cup.
Northwest Naturalist 