Species library · Mushrooms

Foraging Reindeer Lichen

Cladonia portentosa

Typically in season from January to December in the northern hemisphere. Found in Heath & moor, Woodland. Has toxic lookalikes, so check carefully.

Reindeer Lichen (Cladonia portentosa)

Photo: (c) Dave Shenton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dave Shenton · iNaturalist

When Reindeer Lichen is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in September

Where it grows

Reindeer Lichen is usually found in Heath & moor, Woodland.

⚠ Look-alikes & safety

Similar species: Grey reindeer lichen, Reindeer lichen, Star reindeer lichen. Only forage with a confident ID.

Take Reindeer Lichen into the field

Open Reindeer Lichen in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Reindeer Lichen: common questions

When is Reindeer Lichen in season?

Reindeer Lichen is generally in season from January to December in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Reindeer Lichen grow?

Reindeer Lichen is usually found in Heath & moor, Woodland.

Is Reindeer Lichen safe to forage?

Similar species: Grey reindeer lichen, Reindeer lichen, Star reindeer lichen. Only forage with a confident ID. Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits