Bryoria fremontii
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| Bryoria fremontii | |
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| Species: | B. fremontii
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| Bryoria fremontii | |
Description
Black tree lichen or horsehair lichen can be found on coniferous trees in Western Canada and the US. It consists of dark coloured filaments which hang from branches, growing up to 90cm long. It is soft when wet but gets hard as it dries.[1] [2]
Uses
Black tree lichen was a very important food for indigenous people who used it largely as an emergency food. Unlike most lichens in the area, it is low in vulpinic acid, making it edible. It can be eaten raw in emergencies but should still be modified before eaten. It can be used year round and, and when cooked, can be stored as dried 'cakes' or crackers.[1][2]
See Also
References
- ^ a b Turner, Nancy J. Food Plants of Interior First Peoples (Victoria: UBC Press, 1997) ISBN 0-7748-0606-0 Cite error: The named reference "Turner" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Environment/CulRes/lichens.htm Cite error: The named reference "wsdot" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).