Lobaria pulmonaria

Lobaria pulmonaria, commonly called lungwort, is a large leafy lichen that grows mainly on trees in humid forests. Its lobed thallus contains a green alga and cyanobacteria.

Lichen: A stable association between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, usually an alga or cyanobacterium. Lungwort is a lichen whose visible body is built primarily by a fungus.
Lichen symbiosis: The close association between a lichen-forming fungus and one or more photosynthetic partners. Lungwort’s fungus, green alga, and cyanobacteria exchange resources within one thallus.
Old-growth forest: A forest that has developed over a long period with limited major disturbance and a complex structure. Lungwort often depends on the humid, stable conditions found in old-growth forests.
Lobaria: A genus of large foliose lichens that commonly grow on trees in moist forests. Lungwort is a familiar member of this genus of conspicuous woodland lichens.
Lungwort: A common name applied to several plants and lichens, including Lobaria pulmonaria. The name reflects lung-like markings on the lichen’s lobed surface.
Lichen thallus: The body of a lichen, formed by fungal tissue and its photosynthetic partners. Its broad, lobed thallus gives lungwort its distinctive leafy appearance.
Nitrogen fixation: The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas into biologically usable nitrogen compounds. Its cyanobacterial partner can fix nitrogen, enriching the lichen’s shared nutrient supply.
Forest continuity: The persistence of woodland habitat at a site over long periods, despite changes in its trees and structure. Its presence can indicate forests that have remained wooded for generations.
Lobaria pulmonaria in North America: The populations and ecology of Lobaria pulmonaria across its North American range. Regional populations face distinct habitat patterns and conservation concerns.
Doctrine of signatures: A historical belief that a plant’s appearance indicates the ailment it can treat. Lungwort’s resemblance to lung tissue helped inspire its traditional association with respiratory illness.

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