Thallus foliose, medium to large, mostly 5-15 cm broad; lobes generally 1-3 cm broad; upper surface greenish to brownish or brownish gray, with or without a network of ridges; soredia, isidia, and lobules lacking; photobiont green but with blue-green photobiont in the cephalodia; and apothecia fairly common
(McCune and Geiser 2009). Chemistry: All spot tests negative
(McCune and Geiser 2009).
Montana has six
Lobaria species, of which all but one is categized as a state Species of Concern. They are distinguished by the following characteristics:
Lobaria linita - Cabbage Lungwort, SOC
* Growth Form: Large foliose.
* Upper Surface: greenish to brownish or brownish gray
* Reproduction: Lacking soredia, isidia, or lobules. Apothecia common.
* Photobiont: Green algal. Internal cephalodia with cyanobacteria.
* Lower Surface: Tomentum light-colored with pale bare swellings. Black veins.
* Chemistry: Medulla K-
* NOTE: Sun-browned forms on rocks or alpine sod appear very different from the epiphytic forms from coastal forests. The latter are strongly reminiscent of L. pulmonaria.
Lobaria amplissima - Large Lungwort, SOC
* Growth Form: Minutely fruticose and erect. Tiny.
* Upper Surface: Creamy tan to pale grayish tan (dry). Smooth to irregularly wrinkled.
* Reproduction: Lacking apothecia and soredia.
* Photobiont: Cyanobacterial.
* Lower Surface: Coarsely mottled in color. No small, white spots (pseudocyphellae).
Lobaria anomala - Netted Lungwort, SOC
* Growth Form: Large foliose.
* Upper Surface: Light or dark brown (dry) with a network of ridges.
* Reproduction: White, gray, or blue-gray soredia on ridges of upper surface.
* Photobiont: Cyanobacterial.
* Lower Surface: Coarsely mottled in color. Light brown tomentum with scattered small, white spots (pseudocyphellae).
* Chemistry: Cortex K-. Medulla K- or K+ yellow.
Lobaria hallii - Gray Lungwort, SOC
* Growth Form: Large foliose.
* Upper Surface: Steel Gray - gray to brownish gray (dry). Rough and scabrous with often sparse tiny
and fine hairs (tomentum) – use strong hand-lens to examine towards lobe tips.
* Reproduction: Soredia occur in roundish soralia on surface and margins. Apothecia uncommon.
* Photobiont: Cyanobacterial.
* Lower Surface: Pale brown or whitish tomentum.
* Chemistry: Medulla K-
* Note: Closest look-alike to
L. scrobiculata, especially when wet.
Lobaria pulmonaria - Lungwort
* Growth Form: Large foliose.
* Upper Surface: pale greenish to olive or brownish (dry). Strongly and coarsely reticulate-ridged.
* Photobiont: Green algal. Internal cephalodia with cyanobacteria.
* Lower Surface: Light-colored, tomentose with bare swellings.
* Reproduction: Sorediate and/or isidiate. Lobules sometimes present on older individuals. Apothecia uncommon.
* Chemistry: Medulla K+ yellow to orange, KC-
Lobaria scrobiculata - Textured Lungwort, SOC
* Growth Form: Large foliose.
* Upper Surface: Yellowish-tinged pale green to olive (dry). Weakly reticulate-ridged or undulating
* Reproduction: Sorediate. Apothecia rare.
* Photobiont: Cyanobacterial. No internal cephalodia.
* Lower Surface: Coarsely mottled in color. Densely tomentose with bare patches and lacking small, white spots (pseudocyphellae).
* Chemistry: Medulla K+ yellow to orange, KC+ red
* Note: Closest look-alike to
L. hallii, especially when wet.
Montane to alpine habitats with a Pacific coastal affinity. Generally found on alpine sod or mossy rocks in the Rocky Mountains. Epiphytic in coastal Alaska to Oregon.
Photobionts: green algae and cyanobacteria (nitrogen-fixer).
Reproduces sexually by spores from the apothecium.
None identified.
