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tree lungwort
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Greenish lichen, Lobaria pulmonaria, known as tree lungwort, growing on the bark of a tree trunk surrounded by moss and other lichens.
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Also called:
Lungwort
Related Topics:
lichen
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tree lungwort
tree lungwort Tree lungwort (Lobaria pulmonaria) on a tree trunk.

tree lungwort

lichen
Also known as: Lobaria pulmonaria, lungwort
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History

tree lungwort, (Lobaria pulmonaria), a lichen that, because of its physical resemblance to the lungs, was once used to treat tuberculosis, pneumonia, and other lung diseases. Its elongated, forked thallus (12 to 18 centimetres), loosely attached at one end, is dark green when wet and greenish brown and papery when dry. The forked lobes have square ends.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.