#wolf lichen

Letharia lupina

Mountain wolf lichen

What is the difference between L. lupina and L. vulpina? Genetics! Annnd not much visually. Supposedly L. lupina is more yellow and L. vulpina is more green. And L. lupina supposedly is more sorediate and less isidiate. Buuuut these characteristics are variable, and so you probably won't know the difference unless you examine the internal algae (apparently different) or the genetics of the lichenized fungi. But hey! You will know for sure it's a Letharia, so there's that. L. lupina is found in montane western North America.

images: source | source | source

It’s Tell a Friend Friday! Please enjoy this picture of brown-eyed wolf lichen (Letharia columbiana) near Bend, OR.

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Lichen is a natural way to create various colors for your textile and craft projects depending on the type you forage and how you process it. Beard, wolf & lungwort (usnea, letharia vulpina & lobaria pulmonaria) are great lichen to start with since they are often blown away from their host and more easily collected from the forest floor. This tutorial will show the boiling water method of making dye from each type of lichen, as well as the resulting color swatch samples (wool, silk, bamboo & cotton).

CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction - Lichen of PNW

1:32 Lichen varieties

3:53 Latin names

4:13 Ammonia method

4:55 Mordant

5:37 Foraging lichen

6:24 Lichen Dyes tutorial resource

6:52 Processing methods

7:47 Rock beard lichen

8:44 IFFS lichen dye samples

12:18 Boiling water method

13:58 Dyed fiber samples

15:25 Wrap up

16:48 Sneak peek of next tutorial

18:01 Blooper

SUPPLY LIST

Lichen - beard, wolf & lungwort

Pot with lid

Scissors

Spoon

Strainer

wolf lichen is a fruticose lichenised fungus in the family parmeliaceae. it occurs across the pacific northwest & is common on branches that have been stripped of their bark. they have a history of being used for medicine (by indigenous people of the northwest plateau) & dyeing (by the klamath people).

the big question : can i bite it?? no - this fungus is poisonous to meat-eaters. (vulpinic acid)

l. vulpina description :

"the thallus, or vegetative body, has a fruticose shape — that is, shrubby & densely branched — & a bright yellow to yellow-green, or chartreuse color, although the color will fade in drier specimens. its dimensions are typically 2 to 7 cm (0.8 to 3 in) in diameter. the vegetative reproductive structures soredia & isidia are present on the surface of the thalli, often abundantly."

Photo by Xer S. Rowan, Creative Commons Attribution license

Did you ever wonder about the old saying about moss growing on the north side of trees? (This is a photo of lichen, not moss, but the question stands.) It's because moss doesn't care for direct sunlight, so you'll find it in places that are shady.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun always appears somewhat southerly in the sky, becoming more so as you get further north into, say, Canada or England. So the shadows cast by the sun always go somewhat to the north. Making the northern side of things a more suitable environment for mosses and other plants that need shade and moisture.

In the Southern Hemisphere, things would be the opposite.

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Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, ID (No. 20)

This fully accessible loop trail meanders through an open limber pine woodland and around blocky lava flows. Large, broken-off pieces of North Crater volcano can be seen along the trail. Interpretive signs discuss the indigenous relationship with the land and the unique adaptations plants and animals have evolved to survive here.

This paved 0.5 mi (0.8 km) trail explores an area of cinder beds scattered with pieces of North Crater. Exhibits along the trail challenge you to consider the difficulties of protecting this fragile environment. This trail is wheelchair accessible.

I just wanted to post a pix of this tiny lichen living it's best life in the mountains