Here, forming ranks in yesterday’s freezing weather, is a Maine native that only those with keen eyes have seen without help. It’s a tiny fungus called British Soldier Lichen (Cladonia cristellata) that seems to thrive in winter.
Its common name derives from the British military uniform immortalized in the old New England alarm, “The Redcoats are coming!” The British Soldiers seen here are bivouacking in and on the wood of a decaying old farm wagon.
The Soldier stalks grow to about ¼ an inch and their red jackets usually are smaller than match tops. Yet, this lichen is eaten by white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and other wandering salad lovers.
As you may know, lichens are two symbiotic organisms in one entity: fungi and algae. Basically, most of the lichen body is a fungus that brings in necessary water and minerals; the algae make needed sugar from sunlight. Because their bodies are mostly fungi, lichens are classified as fungi. (Brooklin, Maine)