Cladonia rangiferina (L.) F.H. Wigg.

Cladonia rangiferina is probably the best-known species of the genus thanks to the fact that it serves as food for reindeers. It is characterised by a robust look and a grey colour caused by the presence of atranorin (K+ yellow). C. stygia is very similar and often grows at the same localities but differs in the black necrotic bases of the podetia and red gel inside of the pycnidia.

It is one of the dominant species in tundra where it usually grows on acidic soil, humus and within moss cushions. At lower latitudes, it is found in subalpine treeless zone but also on screes, heathlands, peatbogs, sandbanks, in certain types of pine and oak forests, in low grasslands, on rock outcrops, etc. It is a sub-cosmopolitan lichen, abundant mainly in polar countries but also found in rather warm areas. In the Czech Republic, it is scattered mainly on natural stands from lowlands to mountains.

Ascomycota → Lecanoromycetes → Lecanorales → Cladoniaceae → Cladonia