British soldiers lichen, Oconee County

Lichens are a combination of algae and fungi, the classic example of mutualistic symbiosis. The algae can carry on photosynthesis, and make food. The fungus can anchor itself most anywhere. This combination grows on bricks, rocks, roofs, above the tree line, in the Arctic, and in other places where other plants won't grow. This specimen was growing on a fallen log in a forest in the Village Creek area of Oconee County, South Carolina. The height of the spike on the right was probably a little less than an inch/about 2 cm.

For more on lichens in general, see here. The red-tipped lichen, Cladonia cristatella, is called British soldiers lichen. Because of the color, and because this lichen is fairly common in South Carolina, and also in Wisconsin, where I grew up, it's my favorite lichen. The red part of British soldiers is where the fungus is reproducing, as I understand such things. Lichens are a combination of two plants, which can reproduce separately. A lichen, as such, usually "reproduces" by having a piece containing both of them break off. A wild fungus can also capture the appropriate alga and start a new lichen.

Isn't God a great artist?

Even more spectacular at the larger sizes.