Category Archives: Moss/Lichen

Big Red False Morel, Gyromitra caroliniana Tonight we found 5 Big Red mushrooms in the South-40 Woods. One of them was 8-inches across. The new MDC book “Missouri Wild Mushrooms” describes them as “Reddish-brown, convoluted, brain-like cap with whitish stalk … Continue reading →

Reindeer Moss, (Cladonia rangiferina) Walk 15-minutes from the PGT Center to The Point and you will find large areas of the ground covered by Reindeer Moss. Reindeer Moss is actually not a moss at all but a lichen. I’ve read … Continue reading →

Crustose Lichen on hickory bark Look closely at the trees around you. Do you see lichen? If not it may be because you are breathing polluted air. Irwin Brodo writes in Lichens of North America: “Undoubtedly, the most important modern … Continue reading →

British Soldiers, (Cladonia cristatella) This attractive lichen gets it’s name for the little red “caps” which resemble the red hats worn by the British troops during the American Revolutionary war. The red hats are actually the sexual fruiting structure of … Continue reading →

Puffballs Fall is typically one of the best times of the year to find mushrooms at the PGT. Not this year! Mushrooms need moisture and even though we have had a wet year, we are ending the year very dry. … Continue reading →

Lichens and Moss off the edge of The Savanna If you explore the steep slopes along Hillers Creek you will find areas that are carpeted with lichens and moss. I like to get down on my hands and knees and … Continue reading →