SafePlants

Sipe's Kidney Lichen (Nephroma helveticum ssp. sipeanum)

Considerations for Pets

• While specific hazards are not mentioned, the term "lichenous" growth suggests a potentially brittle or crumbly structure, which might pose a minor ingestion risk to curious pets.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Nephroma helveticum ssp. sipeanum (Gyel.) Goward &amp Ahti
• Common Name: Sipe's Kidney Lichen, Dog Paw Lichen
• Family: Nephromataceae
• Group: Lichen
• Synonyms: Nephroma helveticum Ach. var. sipeanum (Gyel.) Wetmore

Distribution and Habitat

• The lichen is found in Eastern Canada, specifically in the Atlantic Provinces, including New Brunswick (Pointe Escuminac).
• It grows in large plateau bogs.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• The lichen has a "lichenous" growth habit.
• Other lichens in the same genus, *Nephroma*, display diverse features such as grayish-brown fuzzy textures and apothecia (fruiting bodies) on the undersides.

Ecological Role

• The lichen is mentioned in the context of lichen amyloidosis, cutaneous lichen amyloidosis, and papular amyloidosis.

Quirky Facts

• The French translation of "Sipe's kidney lichen" is "Nphrome de Sipe."

Additional Information

• The USDA Plants Database does not provide a range map for Nephroma arcticum, a related species.
• There is a mention of potential kidney damage from an unknown source, though not directly linked to this lichen.

Further Information

• This lichen is classified under the Accepted Symbol NEHES.