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kidney lichen
Scientific Name: Nephroma bellum
Family: Nephromataceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Kidney Lichens (Genus Nephroma)
Nephroma is a genus of foliose (leaf-like) lichens, encompassing approximately 36 species. These lichens are characterized by their medium to large size and widespread distribution.
Common Names
- Kidney Lichen (general)
- Arctic Kidney Lichen (Nephroma arcticum)
- Pimpled Kidney Lichen (Nephroma resupinatum)
- Swiss Kidney Lichen (Nephroma helveticum)
- Naked Kidney Lichen, Cat Paw Lichen (Nephroma bellum)
- Mustard Kidney Lichen (Nephroma laevigatum)
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Nephroma Ach.
- Family: Nephromataceae
- Kingdom: Fungi
- Synonyms (for Nephroma helveticum): Fringed Kidney Lichen
Distribution and Habitat
Nephroma lichens have a widespread distribution. Nephroma arcticum can be found in Arctic regions such as Abisko National Park, Sweden, and Syte, Finland, often growing amongst tundra mosses and on rocks. Nephroma laevigatum has been observed growing on trees in Inverness-shire, Scotland.
Morphological Characteristics
- Nephroma arcticum: Large thallus, yellowish-green when dry, bright green when wet. Features broad, flat, gray bumps on the surface that contain cyanobacteria.
- Nephroma resupinatum: Grayish-brown, fuzzy lichen with apothecia (fruiting bodies) on the undersides of the lobes.
- Other species have medium-sized thallus upper surfaces ranging from brown to grayish-brown, with lobe tips that have a woolly appearance and pale, fuzzy lower surfaces with scattered whitish bumps.
Traditional Uses
A medicinal tea is sometimes made from Nephroma arcticum, reputed to restore strength to a weakened person.
Interactions with Other Organisms
Nephroma arcticum plays a role in the Alaska Forest Foodweb. Cyanobacteria are present within gray bumps on the thallus of Nephroma arcticum.
Quirky Facts
Lichens such as Nephroma are sometimes described as fungi that have "discovered farming" due to their symbiotic relationship with algae or cyanobacteria.
Further Information
- USDA Plants Database (note: does not provide a range map for Nephroma arcticum)
- Alberta Wild Species General
- Wikimedia Commons for images (e.g., Fringed Kidney Lichen, Alpine Kidney Lichen)
- naturebob.com for photos of Kidney Lichen (Nephroma)