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 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Peltigerales |
| Family: | Peltigeraceae |
| Genus: | Lobaria |
| Species: | L. quercizans
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| Binomial name | |
| Lobaria quercizans Michx. (1803)
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| Synonyms | |
Distribution edit
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 edit
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 edit
The lichen is used for food and medicine by the Menomini people of Wisconsin.[2]
References edit
- ^ "GBIF Data Portal".
- ^ Brodo, I.M.; Sharnoff, S.D. & Sharnoff, S. (2001), Lichens of North America, New Haven: Yale University Press, ISBN 0-300-08249-5
External links edit
