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cetraria lichen
Scientific Name: Cetraria
Family: Parmeliaceae
Category: Lichen
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Cetraria and Cetraria islandica: A Botanical Overview
This page explores the fascinating world of Cetraria lichens, with a particular focus on Cetraria islandica, commonly known as Iceland moss. We'll delve into its taxonomy, distribution, traditional uses, and more.
Considerations for Pets
- Cetraria islandica has a fruticose (branched, bushy) growth habit.
Scientific Classification
- Genus: Cetraria
- Species: A prominent species is Cetraria islandica (Iceland moss, Iceland lichen)
- Family: Parmeliaceae
- Group: Lichen
- Synonyms/Alternative Names: Lichen islandicus
- Taxonomic Rank: The text mentions Cetraria islandica var. polaris and Cetraria islandica subspecies crispiformis, indicating infraspecific ranks.
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.
- They typically occur on sand or heath.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Cetraria are fruticose lichens.
- Cetraria islandica has an erect or upright, leaflike habit, giving it the appearance of a moss.
- Cetraria islandica is a LICHEN growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a slow rate.
- The thallus color varies from deep brown to grayish white.
- Some species, like Cetraria islandica, exhibit marginal projections and pseudocyphellae.
- Cetraria aculeata has branches that are shiny and flattened with 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.
- It possesses both demulcent and bitter properties.
Ecological Role
- Cetraria lichens associate with green algae as photobionts.
- Lichens, including Cetraria aculeata, dominate terrestrial ecosystems of the Antarctic.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- The text mentions studies on the ecophysiology and symbiotic interactions of Cetraria aculeata.
- Studies investigate the genetic diversity of lichen fungi like Cetraria aculeata and their algal partners.
Chemical Composition and Properties
- Chemical investigation of Cetraria islandica has led to the isolation of compounds identified as protolichesterinic acid and lichesterinic acid.
- Cetraria aculeata contains protolichesterinic acid, which exhibits antimicrobial activity.
- The antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of C. islandica has been evaluated.
- Cetraria obtusata contains secalonic acid C.
Resources and Further Information
- European Drugs Reference Encyclopedia
- Herbal medicinal products HMPC European Union herbal monographs
- Biodiversity Heritage Library: http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/100498
- Lichens of North America (Brodo, I.M., Sharnoff, S.D. and Sharnoff, S. (2001))
- Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas maps