Question

Reindeer moss is
A. Sphagnum
B. Marchantia
C. Cladonia
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Moss is a non-vascular, flowerless, spore-producing plant belonging to the division Bryophyta. These are small herbaceous plants that absorb nutrients and water via their leaves, and collect carbon dioxide and sunlight to prepare their food.

Complete answer:
A. Sphagnum- Sphagnum is a tropical moss growing in a wet acidic area where their remains become compacted with other plants' remains to form peat moss (dried or decayed sphagnum). They are used as a soil conditioner which increases the soil capacity to hold water and nutrients by enhancing capillary force and cation exchange capacity. For example, Sphagnum fuscum, etc. B. Marchantia- Marchantia is a genus belonging to the family of Marchantiaceae which is a group of liverworts (small flowerless green plant). Marchantia show two layers of differentiation i.e. an upper
photosynthetic layer with a well-defined epidermis having pores while the lower layer as a storage layer.
C. Cladonia- Cladonia is a genus that belongs to the family Cladoniaceae which is moss-like lichens. For example like Cladonia rangiferina also term as reindeer lichen, grey reindeer lichen, or reindeer moss, etc. which is a light-colored, fruticose (form of lichen fungi which is characterized by coral-like shrubby or bushy structure) species of lichens.
D. None of the above

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: Cladonia species are of great economic importance as well as they serve as the primary source of food for reindeer moss-herders. Reindeer moss acts as a sponge for collecting and retaining water.