Lobaria retigera #

Taxon #

Lobaria retigera

Organization #

Lungworts, Peltigerales

Identification #

Known coloquially as the “smoker’s lung lichen”, this lungwort species has a darkened appearance on both the upper and lower surfaces. It is tan to brown or grayish above depending on hydration or desiccation and sun exposure. On the ventral surface it is black and tomentose. This lungwort species is isidiate although apothecia are rare if not unknown from North American populations (COSEWIC). Because of the brown color, were it not for the isidia it might be mistaken for L. anomala or L. pseudopulmonaria.

Substrate #

corticolous on coniferous trees, muscicolous (Spribille et al. 2023)

Chemical Tests #

medulla: K-, Pd- (Brodo et al. 2001); thallus: K-, C-, KC-, Pd-; tomentum “K+” (COSEWIC)

Notes #

At least as far north as the latitudes of the Seward Peninsula. Records from the Brooks Range may refer to another species (Spribille et al. 2023, CLH).

COSEWIC. 2018. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Smoker’s Lung Lichen Lobaria retigera in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xi + 61 pp. (http://www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=en&n=24F7211B-1).