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cetraria lichen
Scientific Name: Cetraria ericetorum
Family: Parmeliaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Cetraria: A Closer Look at this Lichen Genus
Cetraria is a genus of fruticose lichens, often found in high-latitude regions. The most well-known species is Cetraria islandica, commonly known as Iceland moss.
Considerations for Pets
- Cetraria islandica has a branched, bushy growth habit.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cetraria
- Common Name: Iceland moss (specifically for Cetraria islandica), Iceland lichen.
- Family: Parmeliaceae
- Group: Lichen
- Synonyms/Alternative Names: Lichen islandicus (historical name for Cetraria islandica); Bryopogon aculeatus (for Cetraria aculeata); Coelocaulon muricatum (for Cetraria muricata); Cetraria crispa (partial synonym for Cetraria ericetorum)
Distribution and Habitat
- Most Cetraria species are found at high latitudes.
- Cetraria islandica is abundant throughout the arctic and mountainous regions of northern countries. It is also circumpolar.
- Habitats include sand, heath, and mossy soil.
- Cetraria aculeata is a widely distributed lichen with a bipolar distribution.
Morphological Characteristics
- Cetraria islandica has an erect or upright, leaflike habit, giving it the appearance of a moss.
- It typically grows to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) in height and 0.5 m (1ft 8in) in width.
- Cetraria islandica is a fruticose (branched, bushy) lichen with an upright thallus, usually attached in one place.
- Color varies from deep brown to grayish white.
- Cetraria islandica shows marginal projections and pseudocyphellae.
- Cetraria aculeata is a dark brown, branched lichen growing on coastal sand dunes with shiny, flattened branches and white pseudocyphellae in pits.
Traditional and Historical Uses
- Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica) has been used since ancient times as a cough remedy.
- It has also been used in European folk medicine as a cancer treatment.
- Iceland moss is considered both a demulcent and a bitter.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Cetraria lichens associate with green algae as photobionts.
Quirky Facts
- The name Cetraria might come from the Latin word "caetra," referring to a short Spanish shield.
Further Information
- Lichens of North America by Brodo, I.M., Sharnoff, S.D. and Sharnoff, S. (2001)
- Biodiversity Heritage Library: http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/100498
- Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas
- Encyclopedia of Life