Mt. Nusatsum

Mt. Nusatsum

Friday, January 22, 2010

Lungwort


It's okay it's not contagious - it's just a lichen.

As I mentioned in a previous post, finding some winter colour is always a treat when you are either tired of the white of snow or the dull of winter ground.  It takes a bit of looking around but when you find something bright you just have to take a picture. These lungwort lichens were a vibrant green and seem to be thriving given the mid winter conditions. They tend to stand out a little more in wet conditions, so last week during our 'damp' spell was a good time to look for them.  They apparently derive their name from the fact that a long time ago the medical professionals of the day had a habit of using plants that resembled body parts which needed treatment.  The books I checked suggest the upper surface of these lichens resemble the inner surface of the lung.  I'm pretty sure my lungs look better than these guys!  This lichen has also been used as an indicator of air pollution, they need clean air to thrive - it's pretty obvious by this photo that we've got a lock on that since our air in the Bella Coola Valley comes via airmail straight across the Pacific Ocean.

It was another beautiful mid winter day for us though in Bella Coola Valley, blue skies, light wind and above freezing.  Amazing.  Grizzly

1 comment:

  1. I always love a lichen, but this is the largest one I've ever seen!

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