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.

For photos of this species go to the new fungi page for Jester Lichen