Kingdom Fungi Class Lecanoromycetes Family Lobariaceae Rank Species | Division Ascomycota Order Peltigerales Genus Lobaria | |
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Similar Lobariaceae, Lobaria oregana, Lobaria, Lecanora thysanophora, Lobaria scrobiculata | ||
Lobaria quercizans, commonly known as the smooth lungwort, is a macrolichen. It forms large, smooth, grey (pale green when wet) growths which often have abundant red-brown apothecia.
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Distribution
Most records are from eastern North America but there are also isolated probable location records from South America (Bolivia), eastern Asia (China, Korea, Russian Manchuria). In eastern North America it is found from Newfoundland to northern Georgia and west to eastern Minnesota. An outlying population is found in the Ouachita Mountains.
Ecology
In eastern North America, L. quercizans is found primarily on the bark of deciduous trees, usually maples (Acer species). In the southern parts of its range A. saccharum (sugar maple) is preferred. Further north, where there is less A. saccharum, A. rubrum (red maple) is favoured.
Uses
The lichen is used for food and medicine by the Menomini people of Wisconsin.