Cetraria

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Cetraria
Cetraria aculeata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Suborder: Lecanorineae
Genus: Cetraria
Ach.
Type species
Cetraria islandica
(L.) Ach.
Species

Cetraria aculeata
Cetraria australiensis
Cetrariella delisei
Cetraria ericetorum
Cetrariella fastigiata
Cetraria islandica
Cetraria muricata
Cetraria odontella
Cetraria sepincola

Cetraria is a genus of fruticose lichens that associate with green algae as photobionts. Most species are found at high latitudes, occurring on sand or heath. Species have a characteristic "strap-like" form, with spiny lobe edges.

Cetraria islandica, Iceland moss, is one of the few culinary lichens, ground and eaten by Northern Europeans in times of famine.

Another species is used today as a "bulking" agent in garam masala of traditional Indian cuisine.

References

http://www.lichen.com/usetaxon.html

Brodo, Irwin, Sylvia Duran Sharnoff and Stephen Sharnoff. Lichens of North America. Yale University: 2001.

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