11. Cladonia rangiferina, Hoffm.—Rein-Deer Moss.

Botanical name: 

Fig. 165. Cladonia rangiferina. Cladonia rangiferina, Hoffm. Cenomyce rangiferina, Ach. Syn. p. 277; Lichen rangiferinus, Linn.; Rein-deer Moss.—This lichen has become celebrated on account of the beautiful description of it, and of its uses, given by Linnaeus, in his Flora Lapponica, p. 332. It is this plant which, for the greatest part of the year, and especially during the winter season, is the support of the vast herds of rein-deer, wherein consists all the wealth of the Laplanders.

I have frequently bought this lichen, along with others, of the London herbalists, who, however, are unacquainted with its real name; but who sell various species of lichens, under the denomination of "mosses," for the use ol bird stuffers, who decorate the inside of their cases with them.


The Elements of Materia Medica and Therapeutics, Vol. II, 3th American ed., was written by Jonathan Pereira in 1854.