Origin and history
Reindeer moss, also known as Arctic Iceland moss or caribou moss , is a unique plant that grows in the cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Contrary to its name, it is neither a moss nor a plant in the strict sense, but a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga . Highly resistant to frost and drought, it survives in extreme environments. For millennia, it has been the primary food source for reindeer and caribou during the winter, hence its name. It is also used by Nordic and Scandinavian populations for its soothing and invigorating properties.