Thomas Bancroft Photography

Cladonia sp.

Cladonia species are often small and look like dust flecks on a log or trunk. But when they are ready to reproduce, they will send up stalks. This species has an umbrella-like stalk, except the umbrella is upside down, making a concave pan. Might it be an adaptation to use raindrops to fling spores out from this clump to new possible homes?

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Filename: Cladonia sp.-Forest Interpretive Trail-Deception Pass State Park-2745.jpg
Copyright: @ Thomas Bancroft
Image Size: 2500x1875 / 1.8MB; Bryophytes Cladonia Cladonia sp. Lichens
Contained in galleries: Bryophytes - Deception Pass State Park

Cladonia species are often small and look like dust flecks on a log or trunk. But when they are ready to reproduce, they will send up stalks. This species has an umbrella-like stalk, except the umbrella is upside down, making a concave pan. Might it be an adaptation to use raindrops to fling spores out from this clump to new possible homes?