What is Reindeer Moss ?
Cladonia rangiferina, also known as reindeer lichen grows in both hot and cold climates in well-drained, open environments. They are living organisms and are a symbiosis between a fungus and an alga.
Reindeer Moss used in interior decoration is harvested from the Nordic countries. Reindeer Moss is a slow-growing plant that grows by 3-5mm per year. Reindeer Moss is alive at harvest, but later they are simply preserved organisms that maintain their structure.
Other common names include polar moss, reindeer moss, deer moss, and caribou moss, but these names may be misleading since it is not actually moss.
Reindeer Moss, Moose, Caribou and Musk Oxen
The moss grows in lush mats over large areas of the ground and is one of the food sources, along with leaves, willow, and grasses, for Reindeer during the winter, hence its common name is Reindeer Moss. Moose, Caribou, and Musk Oxen also feed on this moss.
Design with Moss using reindeer moss pick up from Norway where this moss grows, is an area where carefully controlled harvesting is of the utmost importance, so it is harvested by hand to minimalize the impact on local environment and the forest animals, ensuring this product is sustainable. It is collected up just as it is from the ground, including pine needles and everything else on the forest floor!
Reindeer Moss can be consumed by humans as well
Reindeer Moss like most lichens is 94% carbohydrate and 6% acid. This acid can cause severe stomach cramps if consumed in any quantity. It is important to remove as much of the acid as possible before eating.It is important to remember that the moss must be boiled several times in a mixture of clean water and bicarbonate of soda in order to remove the acid.
Moss can be prepared and consumed in many forms: scones, mixed with berries, is used to make bread and puddings, simmered with wild game or fish, puddings
Reindeer moss then concluded a process of preserving and our company is using approved premium quality. Before working with moss we are removing the pine needles and forest droppings. Then we set to work to carefully craft this lovely reindeer moss into a bespoke design moss wall for one of our clients.
