Lichens are fascinating symbiotic associations between a fungus (mycobiont) and a green alga or cyanobacterium (photobiont). Through this blog post we’re going to be looking at lichens as food. This relationship can range from mutualism to controlled parasitism. Although the Fungal element of the Lichen does no obvious harm to…
Tag: Lichen
Reindeer Moss / All Year / Edible Common Names Reindeer lichen, Reindeer cup lichen, Grey reindeer lichen, Caribou moss, Deer moss Botanical Name Cladonia rangiferina Scientific Classification Kingdom – Fungi Order –Lecanorales Family – Cladoniaceae Physical Characteristics of Reindeer Moss While it is colloquially known as a moss, this is…
Old Man’s Beard / All Year / Edible After processing Old Man’s Beard, it can be dried, or powdered and added to energy balls, crackers, and sauces that need thickening. Other Common Names: (this refers to the lichen, not the species of Clematis that goes by the same common name).…
Oak Moss / All Year Round / Edible Oak Moss and other Lichens have been used as food and medicine as long as there have been people. Common Names Tree moss Botanical Name Evernia prunastri Scientific Classification Kingdom – Fungi Order –Lecanorales Family – Parmeliaceae Physical Characteristics Growth primarily on…