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Lung lichen

 

 

It was a green New Years Eve.

 

The lung lichen or tree lungwort is eye-catching and large-lobed – a ribbed and furrowed upper surface, the thallus leaf-like and slightly brownish. Pretty to look at, characteristic and easily identifiable; seen from above reminding of lung tissue – remember the anatomy wall charts at school – hence also the name.

 

We find the lung lichen on aspen trunks growing in old forests but on many other tree species as well. Old rural cemeteries are good habitats. 

 

The lung lichen is a protected species, already becoming a rarity in Europe because it doesn’t tolerate a polluted environment.