Bryoria fremontii

Taxobox
regnum = Fungi
divisio = Ascomycota
classis = Ascomycetes
ordo = Lecanorales
familia = Parmeliaceae
genus = "Bryoria"
species = "B. fremontii"
binomial = "Bryoria fremontii"

Black tree lichen or horsehair lichen can be found on coniferous trees in Western Canada and the United States. 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.Turner, Nancy J. "Food Plants of Interior First Peoples" (Victoria: UBC Press, 1997) ISBN 0-7748-0606-0] [http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Environment/CulRes/lichens.htm WSDOT - Ethnobotany - Lichens ] ]

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 when cooked, can be stored as dried 'cakes' or crackers.

ee also

*Sk'elep

References