Letharia vulpina

Wolf lichen ( Letharia vulpina ) (yellow)

The wolf lichen ( Letharia vulpina ) is a branched growing fruticose. The name is derived from vulpis (or vulpes ) = " fox ", as it was formerly used for poisoning of fox baits. It is the only European representative of the genus Letharia.

Description

The striking lemon yellow wolf lichen is branched sparrig growing shrubby or bearded and is 10-15 cm long. Only rarely dark brown, yellow edged fruiting bodies ( apothecia ) are formed. The Thalluslappen are dull, the bark transversely cracked, the pith whitish. The thallus is greenish lemon yellow, wrinkled, wrinkled, dichotomously branched; at the thinner end portions occupied by isidia.

Occurrence

The lichen is boreal - alpine spread and lives in the forest border in conifers. In the Alps, especially on stone pine (Pinus cembra ) and European larch (Larix decidua). Often it is also found on shingle roofs and weathered barn boards or fences of the said trees. That is why it is referred to in Sweden as taklav ( " Dachflechte ").

Ingredients and effects

The coloring of the braid is due to the content of Vulpinsäure which acts as a potent poison of the central nervous system. It is toxic not only for carnivorous vertebrates, but also for insects and mollusks. In herbivores, the poison will have no effect, which was confirmed at least for mice and rats.

The wolf lichen can even at a superficial contact cause skin allergies.

In Scandinavia before the fox and wolf bait were poisoned with the braid. According to a report of the Wolf Hunter Nicholas Nilsson dies a wolf within 24 hours if he does not soon after getting some fresh blood to itself, allowing it to recover. The poison is to act stronger, the older the lichen.

Others

In Germany, the lichen under protection and is according to the Red List as " endangered".