Trichome

Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa
In Bozeman, Montana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Parmeliaceae
Genus: Xanthoparmelia
Species:
X. chlorochroa
Binomial name
Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa
(Tuck.) Hale (1974)
Synonyms
  • Parmelia chlorochroa Tuck. (1860)

Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa, known as the tumbleweed shield lichen[1] or ground lichen,[2] is a foliose lichen in the Parmeliaceae family. It is not fixed to a substrate, and blows around in the wind from location to location.[2]

Distribution and habitat[edit]

This lichen is abundant on the High Plains of Wyoming.[3] Its distribution covers intermountain regions of western North America, and Mexico.[4]

Uses[edit]

Tumbleweed shield lichen is used as a dye by Navajo rug weavers.[2]

It has been used as a remedy for impetigo by the Navajo.[5]

Toxicity[edit]

It was implicated in the poisoning of domestic sheep and cattle in Wyoming during the 1930s.[3][6] It has also been implicated in the poisoning of elk in 2004.[6]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Dailey, Rebecca N.; Montgomery, Donald L.; Ingram, James T.; Siemion, Roger; Raisbeck, Merl F. (November 2008). "Experimental Reproduction of Tumbleweed Shield Lichen (Xanthoparmelia Chlorochroa) Poisoning in a Domestic Sheep Model". Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. 20 (6): 760–765. doi:10.1177/104063870802000607. ISSN 1040-6387. PMID 18987225.
  2. ^ a b c Lichens and People, Sylvia and Stephen Sharnoff
  3. ^ a b Geiser, L.; McCune, B. (1997). Macrolichens of the Pacific Northwest. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press. ISBN 0-87071-394-9.
  4. ^ Egan, Robert S.; Lendemer, James (2016). "Xanthoparmelia in Mexico". In Herrera-Campos, Maria; Pérez-Pérez, Rosa Emilia; Nash, Thomas H. III (eds.). Lichens of Mexico. The Parmeliaceae – Keys, distribution and specimen descriptions. Bibliotheca Lichenologica. Vol. 110. Stuttgart: J. Cramer. p. 634. ISBN 978-3-443-58089-6.
  5. ^ "Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa". Retrieved 23 March 2009.
  6. ^ a b Cook, Walter E.; Raisbeck, Merl F.; Cornish, Todd E.; Williams, Elizabeth S.; Brown, Benge; Hiatt, Greg; Kreeger, Terry J. (July 2007). "Paresis and Death in Elk (Cervus elaphus) Due to Lichen Intoxication in Wyoming". Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 43 (3): 498–503. doi:10.7589/0090-3558-43.3.498. PMID 17699088. S2CID 43322309.

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