Cetraria islandica
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Cetraria islandica, also known as true Iceland lichen<ref name=NGSWG>Template:NGSWG</ref> or Iceland moss, is an Arctic-alpine lichen whose erect or upright, leaflike habit gives it the appearance of a moss, where its name likely comes from.
Description
It is often of a pale chestnut color, but varies considerably, being sometimes almost entirely grayish-white; and grows to a height of from Template:Convert, the branches being channeled into flattened lobes with fringed edges.<ref name="EB"/><ref name=Angier/>
Chemistry
In commerce it is a light-gray harsh cartilaginous body, almost colorless, and tastes slightly bitter. It contains about 70% of lichenin or lichen-starch, a polymeric carbohydrate compound isomeric with common starch. It also yields a peculiar modification of chlorophyll (called thallochlor), fumaric acid, lichenostearic acid, and cetraric acid (which gives it the bitter taste). It also contains lichesterinic acid and protolichesterinic acids.<ref name="EB">Template:Harvtxt</ref>
Distribution and habitat
It grows abundantly in the mountainous regions of northern countries, and it is specially characteristic of the lava slopes and plains of the west and north of Iceland. It is found on the mountains of north Wales, northern England, Scotland and south-west Ireland.<ref name="EB"/> In North America its range extends through Arctic regions, from Alaska to Newfoundland, and south in the Rocky Mountains to Colorado, and to the Appalachian Mountains of New England.<ref name=Angier>Template:Cite book</ref>
Ecology
Cetraria islandica is a known host to the lichenicolous fungus species Lichenopeltella cetrariicola, which is known from Europe and Iceland.<ref name="Svane & Alstrup 2004"/>
Uses
All parts of the lichen are edible. It may be dry in winter but can be soaked. Boiling reduces the bitterness. It can be added as a thickener to milk or grains or dried and stored.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
It is not in great demand, and even in Iceland it is only occasionally used to make folk medicines<ref>Cetraria islandica at Plants for the Future</ref> and in a few traditional dishes. In earlier times, it was much more widely used in breads, porridges, soups, etc.<ref>Iceland Recipe</ref> It forms a nutritious and easily digested amylaceous food, being used in place of starch in some preparations of hot chocolate.Template:Citation needed Cetraric acid or cetrarin, a white micro-crystalline powder with a bitter taste, is readily soluble in alcohol, and slightly soluble in water and ether.<ref name="EB" /> It has been recommended for medicinal use by alternative medicine sites, in doses of 2 to 4 grains (0.1 to 0.25 grams), as a bitter tonic and aperient.<ref name="EB" /> It is traditionally used to relieve chest ailments,<ref>Iceland Moss Template:Webarchive</ref>Template:Better source irritation of the oral and pharyngeal mucous membranes and to suppress dry cough.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Gallery
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References
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