Lobaria
Encyclopedia
Lobaria is a genus
of lichen
s commonly known as "lungwort" or "lung moss" as their physical shape somewhat resembles a lung. Lobaria species are unusual in that they have a three-part symbiosis
, containing a fungus
, an alga and a cyanobacterium, the presence of the cyanobacterium allowing nitrogen fixation
.
Their sensitivity to toxins makes them an excellent indicator of ecosystem health, and they are often found in ecological climax communities
such as the old growth forest
s of northwestern North America.
Under the doctrine of signatures
, Lobaria pulmonaria
is sometimes used to treat respiratory infections, although there is no peer-reviewed data to support the efficacy of this treatment.
Lobaria pulmonaria has been found to have moderate anti-inflammatory
effects, and strong anti-ulcerative effects in rats.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of lichen
Lichen
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner , usually either a green alga or cyanobacterium...
s commonly known as "lungwort" or "lung moss" as their physical shape somewhat resembles a lung. Lobaria species are unusual in that they have a three-part symbiosis
Symbiosis
Symbiosis is close and often long-term interaction between different biological species. In 1877 Bennett used the word symbiosis to describe the mutualistic relationship in lichens...
, containing a fungus
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
, an alga and a cyanobacterium, the presence of the cyanobacterium allowing nitrogen fixation
Nitrogen fixation
Nitrogen fixation is the natural process, either biological or abiotic, by which nitrogen in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia . This process is essential for life because fixed nitrogen is required to biosynthesize the basic building blocks of life, e.g., nucleotides for DNA and RNA and...
.
Their sensitivity to toxins makes them an excellent indicator of ecosystem health, and they are often found in ecological climax communities
Climax community
In ecology, a climax community, or climatic climax community, is a biological community of plants and animals which, through the process of ecological succession — the development of vegetation in an area over time — has reached a steady state. This equilibrium occurs because the climax community...
such as the old growth forest
Old growth forest
An old-growth forest is a forest that has attained great age , and thereby exhibits unique ecological features. An old growth forest has also usually reached a climax community...
s of northwestern North America.
Under the doctrine of signatures
Doctrine of signatures
The doctrine of signatures is a philosophy shared by herbalists from the time of Dioscurides and Galen. This doctrine states that herbs that resemble various parts of the body can be used to treat ailments of that part of the body. Examples include the plants liverwort; snakeroot, an antidote for...
, Lobaria pulmonaria
Lobaria pulmonaria
Lobaria pulmonaria is a large epiphytic lichen consisting of an ascomycete fungus and a green algal partner living together in a symbiotic relationship with a cyanobacterium—a symbiosis involving members of three kingdoms of organisms...
is sometimes used to treat respiratory infections, although there is no peer-reviewed data to support the efficacy of this treatment.
Lobaria pulmonaria has been found to have moderate anti-inflammatory
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-inflammatory refers to the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs make up about half of analgesics, remedying pain by reducing inflammation as opposed to opioids, which affect the central nervous system....
effects, and strong anti-ulcerative effects in rats.