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cetraria lichen
Scientific Name: Cetraria odontella
Family: Parmeliaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth: Lichenous
Duration:
Other Names:
Cetraria: An Overview
Cetraria is a genus of fruticose lichens, often found in high-latitude regions. One of the most well-known species is Cetraria islandica, commonly known as Iceland moss.
Considerations for Pets
- Some Cetraria species are fruticose, meaning they have a branched, bushy growth habit.
Considerations for Children
- Some Cetraria species are fruticose, meaning they have a branched, bushy growth habit.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Cetraria Ach.
- Common Names: Iceland moss, Iceland lichen
- Family: Parmeliaceae
- Rank: Genus
- Synonyms (for Cetraria islandica): Lichen islandicus
Distribution and Habitat
- Most Cetraria species are found at high latitudes.
- Cetraria islandica is a circumpolar lichen abundant throughout the arctic and mountainous regions of the northern countries.
- Habitats include sand or heath environments.
- Cetraria aculeata exhibits a bipolar distribution.
Morphological Characteristics
- Cetraria islandica has an erect or upright, leaflike habit, giving it a moss-like appearance.
- Cetraria islandica can grow to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) in height and 0.5 m (1ft 8in) in width, growing at a slow rate.
- Cetraria islandica is a fruticose (branched, bushy) lichen with an upright thallus usually attached in one place.
- Coloration can vary from deep brown to grayish-white.
- Some species, like Cetraria islandica, show marginal projections and pseudocyphellae.
Traditional Uses
- Iceland moss has been used since ancient times as a cough remedy.
- In European folk medicine, it has been used as a cancer treatment.
- It has both demulcent and bitter qualities.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Cetraria lichens associate with green algae as photobionts.
- Genetic diversity exists between different populations of Cetraria aculeata fungi and their algal partners.
Chemical Composition and Activities
- Chemical investigation of Cetraria islandica has led to the isolation of compounds such as protolichesterinic acid and lichesterinic acid.
- Aqueous extracts of Cetraria islandica exhibit antioxidant activity.
- Extracts of Cetraria aculeata show antimicrobial activity.
- Protolichesterinic acid, isolated from Cetraria islandica, reduces LRRC8A expression.
Quirky Facts
- The name Cetraria may originate from the Latin word "caetra," referring to a short Spanish shield.
Further Resources
- Biodiversity Library
- Lichens of North America by Brodo, I.M., Sharnoff, S.D. and Sharnoff, S. (2001)
- Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas