tree lungwort

views updated

tree lungwort The common name for the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria. The thallus is broadly lobed; the upper surface is bright green when wet but pale greenish-grey when dry, while the lower surface is brown, and marked with a network of short, dark brown hairs. The main habitat is ancient woodland, so it is now rare in most parts of Britain, although it is still fairly common in parts of the west and in Scotland. This lichen was used extensively in folk medicine for treating various lung disorders, owing to its fancied resemblance to a lung.

More From encyclopedia.com