Cetraria

Iceland moss ( Cetraria islandica )

The genus Cetraria originally comprised quite different looking leaves and shrub lichen. The genus is cosmopolitan, but mainly to be found in the cold and temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. From Cetraria other genera are separated recently. For example, the Schneeflechte were (formerly C. nivalis ) and the Kapuzenflechte (formerly C. cucullata ) moved to the newly created genus Flavocetraria. Cetraria then comprises only about 15 species in the narrow sense.

The name comes from the Latin word Cetraria caetra = smaller, lighter leather shield and refers to the fact that the bearing portions of the Icelandic moss are often shiny brown.

Types (selection)

  • Iceland moss (C. islandica )
  • Cetraria ericetorum
  • Cetraria muricata
  • Cetraria sepincola
Pezizomycotina Lecanoromycetes Lecanoromycetidae Lecanorales
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