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island cetraria lichen

Scientific Name: Cetraria islandica

Family: Parmeliaceae

Category: Lichen

Growth: Lichenous

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Cetraria islandica - Iceland Moss

Cetraria islandica, commonly known as Iceland moss (though it is, in fact, a lichen), is a fascinating organism with a history of traditional uses and a unique appearance.

Considerations for Pets

  • Iceland moss has a leaflike habit, which might be attractive to pets.

Considerations for Children

  • Iceland moss has a leaflike habit, which might be attractive to children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach.
  • Common Names: Iceland moss, Island cetraria lichen, True Iceland Lichen, Icelandic Lichen
  • Family: Parmeliaceae
  • Group: Lichen
  • Taxonomic Rank: Subspecies - Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach. subsp. crispiformis (Rasanen) Karnefelt
  • Synonyms: Lichen islandicus

Distribution and Habitat

  • Cetraria islandica is a circumpolar lichen abundant throughout the arctic and mountainous regions of the northern countries.
  • It's plentiful in Iceland, from which its name is derived.
  • It has also been found on Long Island, N.Y.
  • It has been found on King George Island / Antarctic.
  • It has also been found on Great Wass Island, Maine.

Ecological Role

  • It is a ground species at home in northern regions.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • It grows to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a slow rate.
  • It has an erect or upright, leaflike habit, giving it the appearance of a moss.
  • It's a fruticose lichen with a small to medium brown thallus.
  • Lichen stone has no root, stem, leaves or flowers

Traditional Uses

  • Iceland moss has been used since ancient times as a cough remedy.
  • It has also been used in European folk medicine as a cancer treatment.
  • It has both a demulcent and a bitter.
  • The population in Iceland has survived with it in years of crop failure.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The lichen-associated bacterial strain Sphingomonas sp. PAMC 26621 was isolated from an Arctic lichen Cetraria sp. on Svalbard Islands.