What is special about reindeer moss?
The reindeer lichen is edible, but crunchy. It can be soaked with wood ashes to remove its bitterness, then added to milk or other dishes. It is a source of vitamin D. This lichen can be used in the making of aquavit, and is sometimes used as decoration in glass windows. As the main body or podetium grows it enters a stable period of 100 years. Areas grazed by wildlife can take many years to recover. The most common use of Reindeer Moss was to make tea from it and use it to treat diarrhea. It was also used as a laxative, cough suppressant, and to treat inflammation in the mouth.Live Reindeer Moss (Lichen) Live Lichen is a cold hardy plant and is very well suited to windy and often dry environments. This can make it less than ideal to be placed in a tropically humid and warm terrarium. Often placed in these conditions the Lichen will quickly fail and die.Even worse, reindeer moss is a major food source for caribou and other large ruminants. It’s so slow growing that it’s a threatened (and protected) species in some parts of the world.Reindeer Moss absorbs water through the air, so it does not need watering. Moss is soft in touch however if the humidity around it falls below 40% moss dries.Reindeer moss is an excellent medium for designing visually captivating works of art. Treated with natural oils and dyes to maintain its vibrant color and supple texture, preserved reindeer moss requires little upkeep and has many possibilities for interior design projects.
Can you eat reindeer moss?
Certain types of reindeer lichens, in some parts of the world, have been eaten in the past, especially as a survival food. But many lichens contain toxic chemicals, so we do not recommend eating them. Reportedly, when used as a food, the flavor of reindeer lichens is not worth recommending, anyway. Be careful, though, in what you use; a few people have been known to have allergic reactions to lichens, resulting in skin disorders. Letharia vulpina (wolf lichen), a toxic lichen that was also used for tea and dye.It is difficult to describe the taste of lichens and much depends on the variety and the way in which they have been prepared but, in general, they have a vaguely mushroomy flavour – some even compare them to truffles – albeit stronger and slightly bitter.Reports vary. Certain types of reindeer lichens, in some parts of the world, have been eaten in the past, especially as a survival food. But many lichens contain toxic chemicals, so we do not recommend eating them.Only a few lichens are truly poisonous, with species of Letharia and Vulpicida being the primary examples. These lichens are yellow because they have high concentrations of the bright yellow toxin vulpinic acid. Wolf lichen (Letharia vulpina) was used in Scandinavia to poison wolves.
What to use reindeer moss for?
Preserved Reindeer moss is most commonly used as a topper for flower gardens, potted flowers and other floral inspired designs as a decorative element. They also serve to hide the mechanics of flower designs. It’s easy to care for, requiring only occasional misting to keep it healthy and vibrant. With its natural texture and lively color, our live Reindeer Moss is a versatile and beautiful addition to any space.How is reindeer moss preserved? Reindeer moss is the only plant that is not preserved with glycerin. It is preserved with salt using the preservation by immersion technique. It is immersed in a saline solution (food coloring), then cleaned and dried.It is recommended to install moss walls in low traffic areas & out of direct sunlight. If reindeer moss is not touched, the look will not change. When installed where no one can reach to touch it, these types of preserved moss will last 8+ years before needing touch-ups.Despite its name, reindeer moss is actually a lichen (in fact it is also known as ‘reindeer lichen’). Composed of many light and dainty branches, it grows in cushion-like tufts.
Which fungus is called reindeer moss?
Hence, reindeer moss is named on the fungus Cladonia rangifera that belongs to the Ascomycota division of Fungi kingdom. The photobiont for reindeer moss is the green-algae Trebouxia. The taste of reindeer moss is similar to mushrooms, so may be an acquired one for some people. In terms of nutritional values, it is high in carbohydrates which makes it effective as a survival food, and it also contains vitamin A and vitamin B.Reindeer moss I like to wash it, let it air dry and then turn it into flour, and use as a thickener or make patties with mixed with duck fat. Indigenous people of the Arctic, also known as the Dene, ate reindeer moss by hunting reindeer and harvested its stomach after the animal had consumed the lichen.The taste of reindeer moss is similar to mushrooms, so may be an acquired one for some people. In terms of nutritional values, it is high in carbohydrates which makes it effective as a survival food, and it also contains vitamin A and vitamin B.The moss is actually edible (though unpalatable for most species) and 100% safe for animal use in this natural, ‘undyed’ pale cream coloured state – care must be taken to avoid bright green or other colours of reindeer moss commonly sold for crafting purposes, as the dyes used aren’t animal safe.Preserved Reindeer moss is most commonly used as a topper for flower gardens, potted flowers and other floral inspired designs as a decorative element. They also serve to hide the mechanics of flower designs.
What animals eat reindeer moss?
The benefits to wildlife of these lichens extends beyond reindeer. Moose, musk oxen, mountain goats, and Dall sheep also graze on reindeer lichens, which are high in carbohydrates. Insects and small mammals such as voles consume these lichens, and birds and mammals use them in nest-building. Preserved Reindeer Moss Be careful not to get preserved lichen wet on a regular basis or expose it to a high level of humidity, for example inside a terrarium. If the lichen is saturated with water or left wet for too long it can have some negative effects.After lichen are established, mosses are then able to root (rhizoids) However, mosses require more water than do lichens, and if there’s a lack of moisture, succession stops at the first stage.Preserved Reindeer Moss Be careful not to get preserved lichen wet on a regular basis or expose it to a high level of humidity, for example inside a terrarium. If the lichen is saturated with water or left wet for too long it can have some negative effects.As well as providing reindeer with a source of food in unforgiving environments, reindeer moss can also be a source of food for humans. Although, it’s important to caveat the moss needs to be thoroughly boiled and prepared before consumption – otherwise it may cause stomach problems.
Are reindeer lichens poisonous?
Certain types of reindeer lichens, in some parts of the world, have been eaten in the past, especially as a survival food. But many lichens contain toxic chemicals, so we do not recommend eating them. Reportedly, when used as a food, the flavor of reindeer lichens is not worth recommending, anyway. Edible lichens are nutritious sources of health-promoting bioactive compounds utilized as ethnic foods and traditional medicine for ages and documented across universal pharmacopoeia.Certain types of reindeer lichens, in some parts of the world, have been eaten in the past, especially as a survival food. But many lichens contain toxic chemicals, so we do not recommend eating them. Reportedly, when used as a food, the flavor of reindeer lichens is not worth recommending, anyway.Gray reindeer lichen grows extremely slowly — only about ½ inch a year, at most — so it takes many years for them to recover in a landscape if they’ve been trampled by people or livestock or are otherwise harmed or destroyed.