What’s your favourite colour?
We knew you’d start with this question because it’s easy. But not in our case! We like to change colour: green when it rains and grey-brown when it’s dry. That’s because the algae among us love bright green. But our fungi friends prefer dusty grey or brown.
Algae and fungi—does this explain your use of “we”?
We contain multitudes! Lichen is not a single organism but a partnership between fungi and algae. Lungwort is extra special because we have two types of algae: green algae and blue-green algae (aka cyanobacteria). We work together to provide structure, protection, food through photosynthesis, and nitrogen. We need each other!
Do you have a nickname?
We long for a more lovable nickname. In Latin, we are Lobaria pulmonaria due to our lobed, lung-like appearance. “Wort” is an old word for plants used in traditional medicine. In Gaelic we are “crotal coille,” possibly even worse than “lungwort.” We’re open to suggestions!
What’s your claim to fame?
We already mentioned the “wort” part of our name. We have been used as a medicine for centuries. Recent scientific studies have confirmed that we can help reduce inflammation. But we have a bigger claim to fame: we taught you humans about symbiosis. That’s when two or more species live together, often to support each other. The term was first used in the 1800s to describe, you guessed it, lichen!
Ever been misunderstood?
We are not moss. We love moss. Moss is beautiful and important. But we are not moss.
What’s your superpower?
You’ve heard of the canary in the coalmine? We’re the lichen in the landscape. Like many lichens, lungwort can’t live in heavily polluted areas. Our tissues directly absorb heavy metals, sulphur, and other pollutants in part because we don’t have roots to filter these out. As a result, lungwort has been used to monitor air quality and the health of forests.
One wish?
Our message is simple: We are stronger when we work together, embrace our differences, and help one another. Be like lichen!
