Lobaria pulmonaria

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Common Name

Lungwort; Lung Lichen

Family

Lobariaceae

Genus

Lobaria

Species

pulmonaria

Synonyms

Sticta pulmonaria; Stictomyces pulmonariae; Ramalina reticulata; Platysma pulmonarium; Parmelia pulmonaria

Location Found

40 miles N.W of McBride, B.C

Growth Structure

Foliose

Habitat

Commonly found in shade on trees, mossy rocks and wood in mature forests.

Environmental Monitoring

It is generally a pollution sensitive lichen. It is sensitive to sulphur and nitrous oxides as well as fertilizing nitrogen. It is an indicator speceis for sulphur dioxide and acid rain in the environment.

Lab Storage

Comments

L. pulmonaria is the most common and widely distributed lungwort lichen in North America. It is an important food source for moose populations. Has medicinal properties that have shown to treat lung diseases and asthma.

References

Brodo et al, 2001.; International Mycological Association, 2016.; Newmaster & Ragupathy, 2012.; Thormann, 2006.; Will-Wolf et al, 2015.