APPEARANCE
The dog lichen has broad leaf lobes that are pale brown or grey with fine hairs thinly covering the leaves. The underneath of this lichen has a cottony texture and is white in colour. The lower portion of the lichen that attaches to the soil flares out and is dark with brownish veins.
RANGE & HABITAT
This lichen is common throughout northern B.C. and can be found in open places on decaying wood matter, moss, humus and mineral soils.
LIFE CYCLE
Like other lichens, the dog lichen is a fungus so it reproduces in different ways. They produce different types of outgrowths, or balls, or saucer-like fruiting bodies that form new lichens when they get carried to new places by birds, wind and water.
ANIMAL USES
Dog lichen is not eaten by any animals.
TRADITIONAL USES BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
The lichen can be used for dye and has been a source of food.
STATUS
COSEWIC: Not at Risk
CDC: Yellow
MORE INFORMATION
Photo: The Waterbird
More Boreal Plains species
