Lobaria quercizans

Lobaria quercizans or Ricasolia quercizans, commonly known as the smooth lungwort, is a macrolichen in the family Peltigeraceae. It forms large, smooth, grey (pale green when wet) growths that often have abundant red-brown apothecia.

Lobaria quercizans
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Peltigerales
Family: Peltigeraceae
Genus: Lobaria
Species:
L. quercizans
Binomial name
Lobaria quercizans
Michx. (1803)
Synonyms
  • Parmelia quercizans (Michx.) Ach. (1810)
  • Ricasolia quercizans (Michx.) Stizenb. (1895)
  • Sticta quercizans (Michx.) Ach.

Distribution

Most records are from eastern North America but there are also isolated probable location records from South America (Bolivia), eastern Asia (China, Korea, Russian Manchuria).[1] In eastern North America, it is found from Newfoundland to northern Georgia and west to eastern Minnesota. An outlying population is found in the Ouachita Mountains.

Ecology

In eastern North America, L. quercizans is found primarily on the bark of deciduous trees, usually maples (Acer species). In the southern parts of its range A. saccharum (sugar maple) is preferred. Further north, where there is less A. saccharum, A. rubrum (red maple) is favoured.

Uses

The lichen is used for food and medicine by the Menomini people of Wisconsin.[2]

References
  1. "GBIF Data Portal".
  2. Brodo, I.M.; Sharnoff, S.D. & Sharnoff, S. (2001), Lichens of North America, New Haven: Yale University Press, ISBN 0-300-08249-5
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