Peltigera leucophlebia explained

Peltigera leucophlebia is a lichenized fungus in the family Peltigeraceae. It is commonly called ruffled freckled pelt. This and other species in the genus contain a green algae in the genus Coccomyxa and also cyanobacteria in the genus Nostoc as symbionts.^[1]

Description

The thallus of this lichen is gray or brown, but when it is wet, the bright green algae are clearly visible. The lower surface of the thallus is white.

Distribution

This species is found in North America, Asia, and Europe.^[2] In North America, it is found in most of Alaska and Canada, the Great Lakes region, New England, the Rocky Mountains, and the Pacific coast.^[3]

Ecology

Peltigera leucophlebia is a known host for the microfungus Pyrenidium actinellum.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Book: Walewski, Joe . Lichens of the North Woods . Kollath-Stensaas . City . 2007 . 978-0-9792006-0-1 .
2. Martinez, Isabel, Ana Rosa Burgaz, Orvo Vitkainen and Adrian Escudero. "Distribution patterns in the genus Peltigera Willd.." Lichenologist 35, no. 4 (2003): 301-323.
3. Book: Brodo, Irwin . Lichens of North America . Yale University Press . New Haven . 2001 . 0-300-08249-5 .
4. Kristinsson . Hörður . 1968 . Fléttunytjar . Uses of lichens . Icelandic . Flóra - tímarit um íslenska grasafræði . 6 . 1 . 19–25 .
5. Flóra Íslands [Flora of Iceland] (no year). Dílaskóf - Peltigera leucophlebia (in Icelandic). Retrieved on April 14th 2021.
6. Helgi Hallgrímsson & Guðríður Gyða Eyjólfsdóttir (2004). Íslenskt sveppatal I - smásveppir [Checklist of Icelandic Fungi I - Microfungi]. Fjölrit Náttúrufræðistofnunar. Náttúrufræðistofnun Íslands [Icelandic Institute of Natural History]. ISSN 1027-832X

   Uses

   In Iceland, Peltigera leucophlebia was traditionally used to make porridge.^[4]

   Chemistry

   Peltigera leucophlebia is known to contain tenuiorin, methylgyrophorate and gyrophoric acid. The thallus turns an ochre colour when performing during a K spot test.^[5]

   References