Lobaria pulmonaria

(L.) Hoffm.

Lung Lichen

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Lung Lichen (Lobaria pulmonaria). Photo by Urszula Wojciechowska, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Urszula Wojciechowska, CC BY-NC 4.0
Lung Lichen (Lobaria pulmonaria). Photo by Urszula Wojciechowska, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Urszula Wojciechowska, CC BY-NC 4.0
Lung Lichen (Lobaria pulmonaria). Photo by Kaitlyn Kuzma-Wells, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Kaitlyn Kuzma-Wells, CC BY-NC 4.0
Lung Lichen (Lobaria pulmonaria). Photo by Clayton D'Orsay, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Clayton D'Orsay, CC BY-NC 4.0
Lung Lichen (Lobaria pulmonaria). Photo by Dwayne Sabine, CC BY-NC 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Dwayne Sabine, CC BY-NC 4.0
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.123515
Element CodeNLLEC0G080
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryFungus
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomFungi
PhylumAscomycota
ClassLecanoromycetes
OrderPeltigerales
FamilyLobariaceae
GenusLobaria
Synonyms
Sticta pulmonaria(L.) Biroli
Other Common Names
Lobaire pulmonaire (FR) lung lichen (EN) Lungwort Lichen (EN)
Concept Reference
Esslinger, T.L. and R.S. Egan. 1995. A sixth checklist of the lichen-forming, lichenicolous, and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada. The Bryologist 98(4): 467-549.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2017-02-14
Change Date2017-02-14
Edition Date2011-08-10
Edition AuthorsOliver, L.
Rank Reasons
Lobaria pulmonaria is the most common Lobaria in North America. This lichen species occurs from Alaska south to central California and from the Great Lakes region and Appalachia to Newfoundland. This species typically grows in mature, relatively shaded forests on a variety of substrates. It and other Lobaria species are good indicators of rich, very old-growth forests and are good indicators of good air quality (Brodo et al. 2000). While it appears that this species is stable in North America, it is declining in Europe.
Range Extent Comments
Is found in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa (Zoller et al. 1999). Occurs in North America on both coasts. In the east, it ranges from Newfoundland and Labrador south to Virginia, and inland to Kentucky and Indiana. In the west, it ranges from Newfoundland and Labrador east throughout much of Quebec and Ontario and south through Michigan. It does not occur in the central part of North America. In the west, it occurs from coastal Alaska south to British Columbia, where it occurs inland, and south through Washington, coastal Oregon, and California (Brodo et al. 2000).
Threat Impact Comments
In Switzerland, Lobaria pulmonaria is in decline due to habitat destruction, changes in forest management, and air pollution. It is sensitive to acidic air pollution and ozone. The genetic diversity in some populations is low (Zoller et al. 1999)

It has been noted in Brodo et al. (2001) and Grube and Kroken (2000) that this species is declining in Europe, but no information was provided regarding the causes. Grube and Kroken (2000) note that the genetic diversity of this species in Europe is declining since individuals that are remaining are only asexual morphs, and few polymorphic loci were found (which represent genetic variability).
Ecology & Habitat

Description

Thallus foliose, medium to large, mostly 5-15cm broad; lobes generally 1-3 cm broad; upper surface greenish to olive or brownish, with a network of ridges; soredia and/or isidia present, in roundish spots on the ridges and margins, occasionally lobules developing on decandent individuals; photobiont green but with blue green photobiont in cephalodia; apothecia uncommon; medulla K+Y, P+O, C-, KC- (norstic and stictic acid group (McCune and Geiser 2009).

Diagnostic Characteristics

Lobaria pseudoplumonaria is similar to L. pulmonaria, however, the former has cyanobacteria as the main photobiont and lacks soredia and isidia; it is found in many parts of Alaska (Brodo et al. 2000).
In the Pacific Northwest, Lobaria pulmonaria, is the most widespread species in the genus, and is easily recognized by its greenish color when wet, the presence of soredia, and the network of coarse ridges on the upper surface. Young specimens might be confused with L. linita, but can be distinguished by its negative K and P tests (McCune and Geiser 2009).

Habitat

Occurs on trees, mossy rocks and wood in mature forests most often in the shade (Brodo et al. 2001).
In the Pacific Northwest, moist lowland to mid-elevation forests in areas of strong coastal influence. In the east Cascade Mountains it is associated with old-growth forests, and found in riparian areas in sheltered valleys. West of the Cascades this lichen is more strongly associated with hardwoods than confer forests (McCune and Geiser 2009). It has been noted that all species of Lobaria good indicators of rich, unpolluted and often very old forests (Brodo et al. 2001).

Ecology

It is a food source for moose in northeastern North America (Brodo et al. 2000).

Reproduction

Studies have indicated that this species is heterothallic, and that it is self-incompatible, requiring an exchange between two different genotypes for apothecial development. It has also been found to have poor dispersal abilities (Zoller et al. 1999).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - HardwoodForest - Conifer
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
British ColumbiaS5Yes
Nova ScotiaS5Yes
New BrunswickS5Yes
Island of NewfoundlandS4Yes
LabradorS4Yes
SaskatchewanS1Yes
QuebecS5Yes
ManitobaSUYes
Yukon TerritoryS1Yes
AlbertaS3Yes
OntarioS4Yes
Prince Edward IslandS4Yes
United StatesNNR
ProvinceRankNative
TennesseeSNRYes
IowaSHYes
MontanaSNRYes
ColoradoS1Yes
OhioSXYes
AlabamaSNRYes
GeorgiaSNRYes
KentuckyS2Yes
PennsylvaniaSNRYes
IndianaSNRYes
MaineSNRYes
MinnesotaSNRYes
North CarolinaSNRYes
Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL, Long-lived
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (245)
Alaska (35)
AreaForestAcres
Bering LakeChugach National Forest965,076
Boston BarChugach National Forest53,617
BradfieldTongass National Forest199,016
ChichagofTongass National Forest555,858
Chilkat-West Lynn CanalTongass National Forest199,772
College FiordChugach National Forest1,130,818
Copper River WetlandsChugach National Forest85,972
Dall IslandTongass National Forest105,780
Douglas IslandTongass National Forest28,065
GravinaTongass National Forest37,381
HardingTongass National Forest174,349
HyderTongass National Forest121,723
Johnson PassChugach National Forest152,508
Juneau UrbanTongass National Forest101,581
Juneau-Skagway IcefieldTongass National Forest1,187,268
Kenai LakeChugach National Forest213,172
Kenai MountainsChugach National Forest306,600
MadanTongass National Forest68,553
Mansfield PeninsulaTongass National Forest54,991
ManzanitaTongass National Forest8,401
Middle KruzofTongass National Forest14,724
Nellie JuanChugach National Forest713,697
North BaranofTongass National Forest314,089
North KruzofTongass National Forest33,146
RedoubtTongass National Forest68,347
ResurrectionChugach National Forest224,615
RhineTongass National Forest23,010
Roaded DonutChugach National Forest968
Sheridan GlacierChugach National Forest224,683
South KruzofTongass National Forest55,193
Taku-SnettishamTongass National Forest664,928
Tenakee RidgeTongass National Forest20,527
Twenty MileChugach National Forest198,775
Upper SitukTongass National Forest16,789
Yakutat ForelandsTongass National Forest323,648
California (16)
AreaForestAcres
Black ButteMendocino National Forest15,461
GrindstoneMendocino National Forest26,031
JohnsonKlamath National Forest10,652
KangarooKlamath National Forest40,617
KellySix Rivers National Forest5,195
Monkey CreekSix Rivers National Forest9,017
North Fork SmithSix Rivers National Forest37,898
Orleans Mtn. BSix Rivers National Forest17,183
Pilot CreekSix Rivers National Forest9,192
RussianKlamath National Forest21,771
SiskiyouKlamath National Forest54,039
Siskiyou BSix Rivers National Forest18,871
SnoozerKlamath National Forest23,414
SoliderSix Rivers National Forest14,918
South ForkShasta-Trinity National Forest16,786
Weaver BallyShasta-Trinity National Forest829
Georgia (7)
AreaForestAcres
Ben GapChattahoochee National Forest1,292
Big MountainChattahoochee National Forest1,974
Ellicott Rock AdditionChattahoochee National Forest690
Joe GapChattahoochee National Forest5,321
Kelly RidgeChattahoochee National Forest8,325
Ken MountainChattahoochee National Forest527
Sarah's CreekChattahoochee National Forest6,888
Idaho (3)
AreaForestAcres
Bighorn - WeitasNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest254,845
North Lochsa SlopeNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest117,662
West Meadow CreekNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest115,949
Maine (1)
AreaForestAcres
Caribou - Speckled ExtWhite Mountain National Forest5,988
Michigan (1)
AreaForestAcres
Norwich Plains Revised Roadless AreaOttawa National Forest4,360
Minnesota (6)
AreaForestAcres
Baker - Homer - Brule LakesSuperior National Forest6,712
Brule Lake - Eagle MountainSuperior National Forest12,380
Cabin CreekSuperior National Forest6,071
Hegman LakesSuperior National Forest675
Kawishiwi Lake To SawbillSuperior National Forest15,305
Wood LakeSuperior National Forest596
Montana (25)
AreaForestAcres
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Berray Mountain #672Kootenai National Forest9,119
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest334,275
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest34,716
Cabinet Face East #671Kootenai National Forest50,326
Cube Iron - SilcoxLolo National Forest36,998
Evans GulchLolo National Forest8,059
Flagstaff Mountain #690Kootenai National Forest11,114
Government Mountain #673Kootenai National Forest10,090
Lebeau #507Kootenai National Forest1,259
Lebeau RA 1507Flathead National Forest5,450
Maple PeakLolo National Forest6,469
Marston Face # 172Kootenai National Forest9,098
Mckay Creek #676Kootenai National Forest15,323
Patricks Knob - North CutoffLolo National Forest16,970
Roderick #684Kootenai National Forest29,677
Saddle Mountain #168Kootenai National Forest14,675
Scotchman Peaks (MT)Kootenai National Forest53,909
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Sheep Mountain - StatelineLolo National Forest37,844
South Siegel - South CutoffLolo National Forest13,474
Ten Lakes #683Kootenai National Forest48,545
Thompson Seton #483Kootenai National Forest29,379
Trout CreekKootenai National Forest30,851
Willard Estelle #173Kootenai National Forest3,714
New Hampshire (13)
AreaForestAcres
Carr MountainWhite Mountain National Forest17,110
Cherry MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,766
Dartmouth RangeWhite Mountain National Forest9,233
Great Gulf Ext.White Mountain National Forest15,110
KearsargeWhite Mountain National Forest4,554
KilkennyWhite Mountain National Forest28,766
Kinsman MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,999
PemigewassetWhite Mountain National Forest32,255
Pemigewasset ExtWhite Mountain National Forest15,840
Presidential - Dry River ExtWhite Mountain National Forest10,555
Sandwich RangeWhite Mountain National Forest16,797
WatervilleWhite Mountain National Forest4,312
Wild RiverWhite Mountain National Forest46,878
North Carolina (21)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainPisgah National Forest11,085
Balsam ConePisgah National Forest10,591
BearwallowPisgah National Forest4,113
Big Indian (addition)Nantahala National Forest1,155
Cheoah BaldNantahala National Forest7,795
Craggy MountainPisgah National Forest2,657
Graveyard Ridge (addition)Pisgah National Forest1,958
Harper CreekPisgah National Forest7,325
Jarrett CreekPisgah National Forest7,485
Laurel MountainPisgah National Forest5,683
Lost CovePisgah National Forest5,944
Middle Prong AdditionPisgah National Forest1,852
Overflow CreekNantahala National Forest3,379
Sam Knob (addition)Pisgah National Forest2,576
SnowbirdNantahala National Forest8,489
South Mills RiverPisgah National Forest8,588
Tusquitee BaldNantahala National Forest13,670
Wesser BaldNantahala National Forest4,061
Wilson CreekPisgah National Forest4,863
Woods MountainPisgah National Forest9,602
Yellowhammer Branch (add.)Nantahala National Forest1,255
Oregon (33)
AreaForestAcres
Bull Of The WoodsMt. Hood National Forest8,843
Bull Of The WoodsWillamette National Forest53
Castle Rock AppendageUmpqua National Forest4,649
CornpatchWillamette National Forest7,346
Drift CreekSiuslaw National Forest6,333
EagleMt. Hood National Forest16,841
Echo MountainWillamette National Forest8,098
ElkhornWillamette National Forest9,380
FairviewUmpqua National Forest7,417
French Pete (a)Willamette National Forest1,668
Gold CreekWillamette National Forest1,364
Gordon MeadowsWillamette National Forest9,463
LarchMt. Hood National Forest12,961
Limpy RockUmpqua National Forest6,782
Mclennon MountainWillamette National Forest8,085
Menagerie (rooster Rock)Willamette National Forest374
Mill Creek Watershed (OR)Umatilla National Forest7,820
Mt. JeffersonDeschutes National Forest2,282
Mt. Hood AdditionsMt. Hood National Forest13,061
North KalmiopsisSiskiyou National Forests91,560
Opal CreekWillamette National Forest5,417
Roaring RiverMt. Hood National Forest27,316
Salmon - HuckleberryMt. Hood National Forest17,570
Shasta CostaSiskiyou National Forests14,420
Sky Lakes AWinema National Forest3,940
South KalmiopsisSiskiyou National Forests104,477
TahkenitchSiuslaw National Forest5,799
TenmileSiuslaw National Forest10,818
Waldo - FujiWillamette National Forest15,273
Walla Walla RiverUmatilla National Forest34,416
Williams CreekUmpqua National Forest5,844
Wind CreekMt. Hood National Forest5,438
WoahinkSiuslaw National Forest5,309
South Carolina (4)
AreaForestAcres
Bee CoveSumter National Forest3,025
Big MountainSumter National Forest2,337
Ellicott Rock 1Sumter National Forest301
Ellicott Rock 2Sumter National Forest517
Tennessee (8)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainCherokee National Forest11,743
Devil's BackboneCherokee National Forest4,287
Flint Mill GapCherokee National Forest9,494
Rogers RidgeCherokee National Forest4,738
Sampson Mountain AdditionCherokee National Forest3,064
Stone MountainCherokee National Forest5,367
Sycamore CreekCherokee National Forest6,984
Upper Bald RiverCherokee National Forest9,202
Vermont (3)
AreaForestAcres
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,768
Devil's Den 09083Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests9,169
Griffith Lake 09084Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,833
Virginia (17)
AreaForestAcres
Adams PeakGeorge Washington National Forest7,135
Bear CreekJefferson National Forest18,274
Garden MountainJefferson National Forest3,960
Hunting Camp Little Wolf CreekJefferson National Forest8,953
JerkemtightGeorge Washington National Forest16,687
Kelley MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,590
Lewis Fork AdditionJefferson National Forest749
Little Dry Run AdditionJefferson National Forest2,204
Little RiverGeorge Washington National Forest27,292
Mill MountainGeorge Washington National Forest10,840
Mountain Lake Addition AJefferson National Forest1,469
New London Bridge BranchJefferson National Forest844
North Fork PoundJefferson National Forest4,757
Peters Mountain Addition A (VA)Jefferson National Forest1,268
Ramseys Draft AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest12,781
Seng MountainJefferson National Forest6,428
SkidmoreGeorge Washington National Forest5,641
Washington (39)
AreaForestAcres
Abercrombie - HooknoseColville National Forest33,862
BackboneGifford Pinchot National Forest1,201
Big Lava BedGifford Pinchot National Forest19,043
Blue LakeGifford Pinchot National Forest11,359
Boulder RiverMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest32,563
BourbonGifford Pinchot National Forest4,512
Cougar MountainColville National Forest4,525
Dark DivideGifford Pinchot National Forest52,483
Eagle RockMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest34,064
Glacier Peak BMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest19,328
Glacier Peak JMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest26,482
Glacier Peak KMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest47,269
Grassy TopIdaho Panhandle National Forests13,485
Grassy TopColville National Forest10,302
Green MountainOlympic National Forest4,617
Jefferson RidgeOlympic National Forest6,512
Jupiter RidgeOlympic National Forest10,148
Liberty BellOkanogan National Forest108,495
LightningOlympic National Forest7,179
Madison CreekOlympic National Forest1,223
Mill Creek Watershed (WA)Umatilla National Forest16,747
Mt. Baker MaMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest24,847
Mt. Baker Noisy - DiobsudMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest56,039
Mt. Baker NorthMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest16,873
Mt. BaldyOlympic National Forest3,557
Mt. ZionOlympic National Forest3,544
Norse PeakWenatchee National Forest10,169
PompeyGifford Pinchot National Forest23,985
PressentinMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest14,545
QuilceneOlympic National Forest18,656
Red LakeGifford Pinchot National Forest2,162
Red MountainGifford Pinchot National Forest2,992
Salmo - Priest BColville National Forest11,869
SiouxonGifford Pinchot National Forest12,773
South QuinaultOlympic National Forest11,081
TaneumWenatchee National Forest26,140
Thorp Mtn.Wenatchee National Forest22,717
Upper SkokomishOlympic National Forest9,311
West AdamsGifford Pinchot National Forest2,238
West Virginia (12)
AreaForestAcres
Cheat MountainMonongahela National Forest8,191
Cranberry AdditionMonongahela National Forest11,123
Cranberry Glades Botanical AreaMonongahela National Forest785
Dry River (WV)George Washington National Forest7,331
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
Mcgowan MountainMonongahela National Forest10,504
Middle MountainMonongahela National Forest19,020
Peters Mountain Addition A (WV)Jefferson National Forest343
Seneca CreekMonongahela National Forest22,287
Spice RunMonongahela National Forest6,251
Tea Creek MountainMonongahela National Forest8,295
Turkey MountainMonongahela National Forest6,421
Wisconsin (1)
AreaForestAcres
09154 - St. Peters DomeChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest4,002
References (7)
  1. Brodo, I. M., S. D. Sharnoff and S. Sharnoff. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press. New Haven and London. 795 pp.
  2. Esslinger, T. L. 2018. A cumulative checklist for the lichen-forming, lichenicolous and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada, Version 22. Opuscula Philolichenum 17:6-268. [http://sweetgum.nybg.org/philolichenum/]
  3. Esslinger, T.L. and R.S. Egan. 1995. A sixth checklist of the lichen-forming, lichenicolous, and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada. The Bryologist 98(4): 467-549.
  4. Grube, M. and S. Kroken. 2000a. Molecular approaches and the concept of species and species complexes in lichenized fungi. Mycological Research 104(11): 1284-1294.
  5. McCune, B. and L. Geiser. 2009. Macrolichens of the Pacific Northwest: Second Edition. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon. 448 pp.
  6. Muir, P., and A. M. Shirazi. 1997a. Seasonal growth dynamics in the lichen <i>Lobaria pulmonaria. </i>Bryologist 100(4): 458-464.
  7. Zoller, S. , F. Lutzoni, and C. Scheidegger. 1999a. Genetic variation within and among populations of the threatened lichen <i>Lobaria pumlonaria</i> in Switzerland and implications for its conservation. Molecular Ecology 8: 2049-2059.