reindeer moss

reindeer moss
any of several lichens of the genus Cladonia, esp. the gray, many-branched C. rangiferina, of arctic and subarctic regions, eaten by reindeer and caribou.
[1745-55]

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lichen
      (Cladonia rangiferina), a fruticose (bushy, branched) lichen found in great abundance in Arctic lands. It is an erect, many-branched plant that grows up to 8 cm high, covers immense areas, and serves as pasture for reindeer, moose, caribou, and musk oxen. In Scandinavia it has been used in the manufacture of alcohol, but difficulties in obtaining reindeer moss arise because of its slow growth rate (3 to 5 mm per year). Its periods of most rapid growth are spring and fall when high humidity and cool temperatures prevail.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Reindeer moss — Reindeer Rein deer (r?n d?r), n. [Icel. hreinn reindeer + E. deer. Icel. hreinn is of Lapp or Finnish origin; cf. Lappish reino pasturage.] [Formerly written also {raindeer}, and {ranedeer}.] (Zool.) Any ruminant of the genus {Rangifer}, of the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • reindeer moss — n. any of various intricately branched, spongy lichens (genus Cladonia), esp. a gray lichen ( C. rangiferina) eaten by grazing animals in the Arctic and, sometimes, by people …   English World dictionary

  • reindeer moss — noun A lichen, Cladonia rangiferina, that grows in areas of alpine tundra. They passed alder swamps and bamboo groves and pale green reindeer moss. Syn: reindeer lichen …   Wiktionary

  • reindeer moss — noun an erect greyish branching lichen of Arctic and even some north temperate regions constituting the chief food for reindeer and caribou and sometimes being eaten by humans • Syn: ↑reindeer lichen, ↑arctic moss, ↑Cladonia rangiferina •… …   Useful english dictionary

  • reindeer moss — noun Date: circa 1753 a gray, erect, tufted, and much branched lichen (Cladonia rangiferina) that forms extensive patches in arctic and north temperate regions, constitutes a large part of the food of caribou, and is sometimes eaten by humans… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • reindeer moss — noun a bluish grey arctic lichen, eaten by reindeer in winter. [Cladonia rangiferina.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • reindeer moss — /ˈreɪndɪə mɒs/ (say rayndear mos) noun a grey, branched lichen, Cladonia rangiferina, widespread in arctic regions, where it is eaten during the winter by reindeer …  

  • reindeer moss — rein′deer moss n. bot any of several lichens of the genus Cladonia, esp. the gray, many branched C. rangiferina, of arctic and subarctic regions • Etymology: 1745–55 …   From formal English to slang

  • Reindeer hunting in Greenland — is of great importance to the Kalaallit (Greenland Inuit) and sporting hunters, both residents and tourists. Reindeer (Caribou) are an important source of meat, and harvesting them has always played an important role in the history, culture, and… …   Wikipedia

  • Reindeer — Rein deer (r?n d?r), n. [Icel. hreinn reindeer + E. deer. Icel. hreinn is of Lapp or Finnish origin; cf. Lappish reino pasturage.] [Formerly written also {raindeer}, and {ranedeer}.] (Zool.) Any ruminant of the genus {Rangifer}, of the Deer… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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