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Lobaria pulmonaria 010108c.jpg
Lobaria pulmonaria
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Peltigerales
Family: Lobariaceae
Genus: Lobaria
(Schreb.) Hoffm.

many, including:
Lobaria amplissima
Lobaria hallii
Lobaria linita
Lobaria oregana
Lobaria pallida
Lobaria pulmonaria
Lobaria quercizans
Lobaria ravenelii
Lobaria retigera
Lobaria scrobiculata
Lobaria virens

Lobaria is a genus of lichens 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 forests 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.[1]


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