Lobaria

Lobaria is a genus of lichens commonly known as "lung wort" or "lungmoss" as their physical shape somewhat resembles a lung, and their ecological niche is similar to that of moss. Lobaria are unusual in that they have a three-part symbiosis, containing a fungus, and an alga (as other lichens do), but also a cyanobacterium which fixes nitrogen.

Lobaria
Lobaria pulmonaria
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Fungi
Division:
Ascomycota
Class:
Lecanoromycetes
Order:
Peltigerales
Family:
Lobariaceae
Genus:
Lobaria

Species

many, including:
Lobaria amplissima
Lobaria hallii
Lobaria linita
Lobaria oregana
Lobaria pallida
Lobaria pulmonaria
Lobaria quercizans
Lobaria ravenelii
Lobaria retigera
Lobaria scrobiculata
Lobaria virens

Under the doctrine of signatures, Lobaria pulmonaria is sometimes used to treat respiratory infections, although there is no peer-reviewed data to support the efficacy of this treatment.

Lobaria pulmonaria has been found to have moderate anti-inflammatory effects, and strong anti-ulcerative effects in rats.[1]

References
  • Miadlikowska, Jolanta; et al. (2006). "New insights into classification and evolution of the Lecanoromycetes (Pezizomycotina, Ascomycota) from phylogenetic analyses of three ribosomal RNA- and two protein-coding genes" (PDF). Mycologia. 98 (6): 1088–1103. doi:10.3852/mycologia.98.6.1088. PMID 17486983.
  1. "Anti-inflammatory and antiulcerogenic effects of the aqueous extract of Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm". Phytomedicine. 10: 552–557. 2003. doi:10.1078/094471103322331539. PMID 13678242.
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