Jester Lichen
Jester lichen - Cladonia leporina - in Ocala National Forest. This is just one of the several species of Cladonia that is commonly called British soldiers lichen.
Lichens are both an algae and a fungus, living in partnership with each other. In many cases, neither organism could live without the other.
Kingdom Fungi – Fungi
Division Ascomycota – Sac fungi
Class Ascomycetes
Order Lecanorales
Family Cladoniaceae
Genus Cladonia – cup lichen
For a taxonomic tree and links to other fungi posted on Wild Florida Photo see the Fungi at Wild Florida Photo page.