Coastal Reindeer Lichen.
Cladonia portentosa ssp,pacifica.
There are thousands of species of lichen and they are at home in the canopies of our temperate rain forests. The perfect examples of cooperation, lichen are composed of algae and fungi that work together. Lichens survive where neither of these species could likely survive successfully alone. Lichen display incredible beauty in their growth, color and habitat. It is an indicator of things to come. An indicator species speaks for the invisible.
The healing capacity of lichens is extraordinary. Scientific study of types of old growth forests around the world demonstrate lichen communities may take decades, or centuries, to recover from destruction. The reappearance of lichens are the visitations from honored friends. Rain forests extend a vast healing capacity.
(Excerpt From The Healing Garden)
