Wolf Moss Lichen Upside Down

I believe this is Letharia vulpina, commonly known as the wolf lichen (although the species name vulpina, from vulpine relates to the fox), is a... more

by Frank Winters

Title

Wolf Moss Lichen Upside Down

Artist

Frank Winters

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

I believe this is Letharia vulpina, commonly known as the wolf lichen (although the species name vulpina, from vulpine relates to the fox), is a fruticose lichenized species of fungus in the family Parmeliaceae. It is bright yellow-green, shrubby and highly branched, and grows on the bark of living and dead conifers in parts of western and continental Europe, the Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains of Western North America. This species is somewhat toxic to mammals due to the yellow pigment vulpinic acid, and has been used historically as a poison for wolves and foxes. It has also been used traditionally by many native North American ethnic groups as a pigment source for dyes and paints.

This grows in the woods or in my front yard on Cape cod and I find it fascinating and beautiful.

Uploaded

December 10th, 2013