Lichens are 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 the…
Tag: Lichen
Reindeer Moss / All Year / Edible Other Common Names: Reindeer lichen, Reindeer cup lichen, Grey reindeer lichen, Caribou moss, Deer moss Latin Name: Cladonia rangiferina Physical Characteristics:Â While it is colloquially known as a moss, this is actually a lichen, which is a symbiont of at least one fungus…
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. Other Common Names: Tree moss Latin Name: Evernia prunastri Physical Characteristics:Â Growth primarily on the trunks and branches of oak trees. It is…