Cetraria islandica

Cetraria islandica, also known as true Iceland lichen[1] or Iceland moss, is an Arctic-alpine lichen whose erect or upright, leaflike habit gives it the appearance of a moss, where its name likely comes from.

Iceland moss
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Parmeliaceae
Genus: Cetraria
Species:
C. islandica
Binomial name
Cetraria islandica
(L.) Ach. (1802)
Synonyms
  • Lichen islandicus L. (1753)

Description

It is often of a pale chestnut color, but varies considerably, being sometimes almost entirely grayish-white; and grows to a height of from 7.6 to 10.2 centimetres (3 to 4 inches), the branches being channelled or rolled into tubes, which end in flattened lobes with fringed edges.[2][3]

Chemistry

In commerce it is a light-gray harsh cartilaginous body, almost colorless, and tastes slightly bitter. It contains about 70% of lichenin or lichen-starch, a polymeric carbohydrate compound isomeric with common starch. It also yields a peculiar modification of chlorophyll (called thallochlor), fumaric acid, lichenostearic acid, and cetraric acid (which gives it the bitter taste). It also contains lichesterinic acid and protolichesterinic acids.[2]

Distribution and habitat

It grows abundantly in the mountainous regions of northern countries, and it is specially characteristic of the lava slopes and plains of the west and north of Iceland. It is found on the mountains of north Wales, northern England, Scotland and south-west Ireland.[2] In North America its range extends through Arctic regions, from Alaska to Newfoundland, and south in the Rocky Mountains to Colorado, and to the Appalachian Mountains of New England.[3]

Ecology

Cetraria islandica is a known host to the lichenicolous fungus species Lichenopeltella cetrariicola, which is known from Europe and Iceland.[4]

Uses

All parts of the lichen are edible. It may be dry in winter but can be soaked. Boiling removes the plant's bitterness. It can be added as a thickener to milk or grains or dried and stored.[5]

It is not in great demand, and even in Iceland it is only occasionally used to make folk medicines[6] and in a few traditional dishes. In earlier times, it was much more widely used in breads, porridges, soups, etc.[7] It forms a nutritious and easily digested amylaceous food, being used in place of starch in some preparations of hot chocolate. Cetraric acid or cetrarin, a white micro-crystalline powder with a bitter taste, is readily soluble in alcohol, and slightly soluble in water and ether.[2] It has been recommended for medicinal use by alternative medicine sites, in doses of 2 to 4 grains (0.1 to 0.25 grams), as a bitter tonic and aperient.[2] It is traditionally used to relieve chest ailments,[8] irritation of the oral and pharyngeal mucous membranes and to suppress dry cough.[9]

  • Engraving from the 18th-century botanical work Flora Danica
    Engraving from the 18th-century botanical work Flora Danica
  • Specimen in Austria
    Specimen in Austria
  • Sarntaler Alpen, Italy
    Sarntaler Alpen, Italy
  • Zillertaler Alpen, Italy
    Zillertaler Alpen, Italy
  • Growing in a mat, Uppland, Sweden
    Growing in a mat, Uppland, Sweden
  • Tablets containing C. islandica used as a dry cough remedy
    Tablets containing C. islandica used as a dry cough remedy

References
  1. "Standardized Common Names for Wild Species in Canada". National General Status Working Group. 2020.
  2. Chisholm (1911)
  3. Angier, Bradford (1974). Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Stackpole Books. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-8117-2018-2.
  4. Svane, Svanhildur Jónsdóttir; Alstrup, Vagn (2004). "Some lichenicolous fungi from Iceland" (PDF). Acta Botanica Islandica. 14: 53–58.
  5. The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants. United States Department of the Army. New York: Skyhorse Publishing. 2009. p. 61. ISBN 978-1-60239-692-0. OCLC 277203364.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. Cetraria islandica at Plants for the Future
  7. Iceland Recipe
  8. Iceland Moss Archived 2006-10-20 at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Assessment report on Cetraria islandica (L.) Acharius s.l., thallus" (PDF). European Medicines Agency. Retrieved 2016-12-27.
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