Reindeer moss

Reindeer moss

Yagel ( lat.Cladonia rangiferina ), or deer moss, is a group of lichens from the genus Cladonia.

This is one of the largest lichens: its height can reach 10-15 cm. The yagel has a whitish color, because the bulk of the lichen is made up of the finest colorless tubes - the stem hyphae.

When wet, reindeer lichen is soft , elastic, but after drying it hardens , becomes very fragile, easily crumbles. These tiny debris are carried by the wind and can give rise to new plants.

Because of the bushy, highly branched thallus, deer moss is sometimes isolated into the genus Cladina. Good food for reindeer (up to 90% of their diet in winter). Some species contain usnic acid, which has antibiotic properties. The Nenets use these properties of reindeer lichen in folk medicine.