Nature's Guide Series: #5 Reindeer Lichen Traditional Cache

This series will take you along a decent gravel road, with some areas of dense foliage.  Each location will highlight a specific herb, shrub, moss, and fern as to where it predominantly grows in the area and it uses (if any).  Please drive carefully giving yourself enough time to traverse this small course.

Shrub lichen, upright, 5 - 8(10) cm tall, greyish white, intricately branching from a main stem; branches hollow, with dull, appressed cottony surface (hand lens); many end branchlets pointed in one direction (swept side to side). Most familiar of the lichens.  Different from Coral Lichen, as it is not shaped like cauliflower like Coral is. Forms extensive carpets over ground in open coniferous forest (commonly on sandy soils) and in open sites, from lowland bogs on Sphagnum to arctic tundra; common and widespread across Northwestern Ontario's boreal forest.

Northern native people used reindeer lichen in medicinal teas to treat colds, arthritis, fevers and other problems. Reindeer lichens were also used as a poultice to relieve the ache of arthritic joints. Reindeer lichens have been taken to treat fever, jaundice constipation, convulsions, coughs, and tuberculosis.

Also please be made aware that from September to December it is Hunting Season; please do not cache alone and please where HI-VIZ (Hunter Orange) while visiting during those months.