Scarlet Crested Cladonia Lichen
The Scarlet-crested Cladonia, Cladonia cristatella, Tuckerm.Habit and habitat.-Dead wood, etc.
Vegetative organs (thallus).-Coral-like (cladoniaeform); fruiting branches (podetia) hollow, cylindrical, sometimes branched, a to 4 mm. tall; smooth or with the surface wrinkled.
Fruiting organs (apothecia).-Scarlet knobs at the tips of the fruiting branches.
Name.-The specific name cristatella, suggested by the bright fruits, is derived from the Latin crista, a crest.