Lobaria oregana (Tuck.) Müll. Arg.
Lettuce lung
Peltigeraceae

Introduction to the Lichens

Photograph

© Jim Riley     (Photo ID #12614)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Lobaria oregana unavailable

Species Information

General:
Common Name: The Lung Lichens. Traditional, based on the resemblance of certain species to lung tissue.
Medium to large stratified foliose lichens, corticate above and below, sorediate or isidiate or not, sometimes bearing internal cephalodia, lobes loosely attached, short to subrotund or occasionally elongate, averaging to (0.6–) 1–20 (–30) mm wide, thin. Upper surface greyish, greenish or brownish, shiny to dull, often net-ridged/reticulate. Lower surface tomentose, tomentum often interrupted by white naked patches. Medulla white. Photobiont green and/or blue-green.
Apothecia located near lobe margins, disc usually reddish brown; spores (2–) multi-celled, spindle-shaped to needlelike, usually colourless when mature, 8 per ascus.
Over trees, rarely over rock.
Notes: Lobaria is a cosmopolitan genus consisting of approximately 80 species. Eleven of these occur in North America and six in B.C.
Species description:
Photobiont a grass-green alga; upper surface usually greenish, never textured/scabrid AND
Upper surface distinctly yellowish green; lobe margins more or less fringed with lobules; essentially coastal
Reactions:
Medulla K+ yellow, PD+ orange.
Contents:
Constictic, cryptostictic, norstictic, stictic and usnic acids and one unknown

SourceLichens of British Columbia

Habitat and Range

Habitat: Frequent over conifers in open to somewhat shady coastal old-growth forests, usually most abundant at higher elevations

World Distribution: western N Am, N to AK, S to CA.

SourceLichens of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Sticta oregana Tuck.