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Story: Lichens

Pixie cup

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Pixie cup

Green-grey pixie cups (Cladonia species) thrive in exposed subalpine sites where they grow on poor soils and fallen logs. Their splash cups are covered in flour-like reproductive structures called soredia, which are easily brushed off. Soredia contain algal cells and fungal threads that can grow into a new lichen.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10060883

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How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff, Lichens – Lichens in New Zealand, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/10987/pixie-cup (accessed 5 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 1 March 2009.