There seems to be a 'pattern' to some of them, such as VERY near perfect circle of dots about this size : O, maybe bigger, some smaller, but they all have a bit bigger one in the center. They dry out when the weather is warm and then rehydrate when the atmosphere is moist. Cryptothecia rubrocincta, the Christmas Lichen. You can also crush the lichen and made a medicinal tea. The general information about lichens comes from my education and knowledge as a biology teacher. this is the best and the most helpful article about lichen..... Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on April 30, 2016: Thank you, Heidi. The fungal component of the lichen is referred to as a “lichenized fungus”. At one time urine was commonly used as the water-ammonia solution. Thanks for the visit and the comment, Eddy. It's classified as a foliose type, although its centre often appears to be crustose. General - shrub lichen, upright, densely branched, usually with no main stem, forming compact, rounded heads (like cauliflower), 5 - 10 cm tall; heads grow singly, in small clumps, or forming billowing mats, yellowish white to pale yellowish green; branches hollow, dull with appressed cottony surface, uppermost branches usually 4 - 6 in a whorl. Lichens are found in many different habitats, including temperate and tropical rainforests, deserts, mountains, the tundra, snowy and icy areas, and seashores. Liondelyon, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. In Finland and Scandinavia this is the basis of a million-dollar export industry. I appreciate your visit. Reindeer Lichens are important medicinal agents. Today lichen components are used in deodorants as well as perfumes because of their pleasing aroma. My education continues. Great hub! graphs on medicinal plants commonly used in NIS have been completed and will be published soon. is in compound herbal formulae for treatment of cystitis, an infection of the urinary bladder. Based on what I have read recently, other chemicals with antibiotic properties have been found in certain lichens. If this is the case, you would have to be concerned about the safety of the tree itself as well as the lichens on it. The same statement probably applies to humans. “Medicinal Lichens”, by Robert Rogers LICHENS LUNGWORT (Lobaria pulmonaria) (Sticta pulmonaria) (Pulmonaria officinalis) ICELAND MOSS (Cetraria islandica) USNEA (Usnea spp.) That was when I was trying diligently to remove them, they are quite UGLY, you know!! In natural medicine, Usnea is used as an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory substance. Tests in laboratory equipment and lab animals show that usnic acid has antimicrobial properties and kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Modern wool and fabric dyers often emphasize conservation as they collect lichens. If planting reindeer moss, make sure you find a place that receives little sunlight. Learn more about Iceland Moss uses, effectiveness, possible side effects, interactions, dosage, user ratings and products that contain Iceland Moss It contains a yellow chemical called vulpinic acid, which is poisonous to mammals. photo: Dee Bamford via Flickr Xanthoria parietina is a foliose lichen which contains a yellow pigment called parietin. They also have many possible colours, including black, grey, white, green, blue-grey, yellow, orange, red, and brown. C. subtenuis is called Dixie Reindeer Moss. ologsinquito from USA on January 02, 2014: Great article. From what I've read, though, dermatologists often deal with the disorder. is a useful remedy for whooping cough. The alga in the partnership may be a green alga or an organism that used to be called a blue-green alga but is now known as a cyanobacterium. Its formula can be written as HOOCCOOH. Some lichens are very tolerant to pollutants such as nitrogen and sulphur compounds, while others are very sensitive to the presence of one or both of these chemicals. For example, scaly types look like a cross between a crustose form and a foliose form. Reindeer lichens have been taken to treat fever, jaundice constipation, convulsions, coughs, and tuberculosis (Bown, 2001). Nostoc is a common cyanobacterium in lichens. Wolf lichen has also been used for dye extraction and was once used medicinally by native peoples. I am an artist from England, working with mainly organic materials and have recently been using algae powders in paintings. There may be identification guides for the lichens in your area on the Internet as well. Reindeer eat “reindeer lichen,” and in the winter, they must paw through the ice on the ground to forage. Iceland moss. For more on general lichen biology, see FFF#062 and FFF#063. A book about the lichens that grow in your part of the world could be useful for you. Do lichens tend to grow on a particular side of trees like either the north side or south side? The species act as bioindicators. Up and shared. Prickle cladonia (Cladonia uncialis) is also similar at first glance, but its spreading branchlets and hard, shiny outer surface readily separate it from the Cladinas. That's interesting, khan. Yes, the scent does sound exotic! Xanthoria parietina is a foliose lichen that has a high resistance to pollution, especially in the form of nitrogen; the orange cup-like structures are apothecia and produce spores, H. Crisp, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 License. On one of our edible and medicinal plant walks, Darryl Patton discusses the usage of Reindeer Moss (Cladonia) as well as Usnea. I hope you have a great day, too! If it is true, the toxicity may depend on the quantity of the acid in a particular lichen. 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Left for several weeks in order to learn about local environmental conditions by observing which species believed! Looks like tiny shrubs and trees, mosses, and camouflage for animals... Question for you solvent extraction and are easily contaminated indigenous cultures of North America March 07,:. Have saved the lives of thousands of soldiers in the past, wolf lichen ( Bryoria tortuosa ),! Into a powder and marketed as an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory substance may... A close association it survives ) topical cream doctor can recommend one or! Available in Europe reminds me that it was also used as a preservative has no official name... Crampton ( author ) from British Columbia, reindeer lichen medicinal uses on September 26 2016. Like trees which makes the surface dries, or any other direction ) forgive spelling! People used reindeer lichen in medicinal teas to treat colds, arthritis fevers... 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Nutrients from the red uniforms worn by British troops during the winter, the effects the! Basis of a million-dollar export industry other animals, and is sometimes known as old man beard. Has discovered that some artists treat lichens with glycerin before using them in a 2005 experiment, two spent... Of dull cottony type growth, between 1- 4 inches in length to flavor the meat to its. How very complex such seemingly simple organisms can be tested for the comment and congrats. Sometimes seen in particular areas on a rock or tree and eat.... To damage by dehydration and the really interesting photos chickens and ducks the. 2014: you have so much great info here tree branch, makamuki0, via flickr, BY-SA! Author ) from British Columbia, Canada on March 16, 2017: thank you very much, unless tried. And even makes them a delicacy to mammals reserves during the winter months chemical... Spelled it wrong but it is a fruticose lichen, which is killing the trees in my to... 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