reindeer moss

noun

1. any of several lichens of the genus Cladonia, especially the gray, many-branched C. rangiferina, of Arctic and subarctic regions, eaten by reindeer and caribou.

reindeer moss

noun

1. any of various lichens of the genus Cladonia , esp C. rangiferina , which occur in arctic and subarctic regions, providing food for reindeer

Word History and Origins

Origin of reindeer moss¹

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

He needed no food save that which the tundra supplied, the reindeer moss under the snow.

From Project Gutenberg

A quantity of reindeer-moss was provided and stowed in a third ship, the Onkel Adam.

From Project Gutenberg

At the end of October winter began to set in severely, and the reindeer-moss was utilised by the imprisoned people as food.

From Project Gutenberg

Reindeer moss, eaten away in a single season, requires four or five years to grow again in abundance.

From Project Gutenberg

And immediately afterwards we made a startling discovery: our stock of reindeer-moss was found to be somehow ridiculously small.

From Project Gutenberg