Lichens for food Ethnolichenology

the hairlike lichen commonly known wila (bryoria fremontii) edible.

there records of lichens being used food many different human cultures across world. lichens eaten people in north america, europe, asia, , africa, , perhaps elsewhere. lichens merely famine foods eaten in times of dire needs, in cultures lichens staple food or delicacy. 2 problems encountered eating lichens contain mildly toxic secondary compounds, , lichen polysaccharides indigestible humans. many human cultures have discovered preparation techniques overcome these problems. lichens thoroughly washed, boiled, or soaked in ash water remove secondary compounds.

in past iceland moss (cetraria islandica) important human food in northern europe , scandinavia, , cooked in many different ways, such bread, porridge, pudding, soup, or salad. wila (bryoria fremontii) important food in parts of north america, pitcooked. featured in secwepemc story. reindeer lichen (cladina spp.) staple food of reindeer , caribou in arctic. northern peoples in north america , siberia traditionally eat partially digested lichen after remove rumen of caribou have been killed. called stomach icecream . rock tripe (umbilicaria spp. , lasalia spp.) lichen has been used emergency food in north america. 1 species of umbilicaria, iwa-take (u. esculenta), used in variety of traditional korean , japanese foods. quite expensive, , collected off sides of cliffs. in india, , other centers of curry powder production, garam masala sauce contains lichens used bulking agents.

very few lichens poisonous. poisonous lichens include high in vulpinic acid or usnic acid. (but not all) lichens contain vulpinic acid yellow, yellow lichen should considered potentially poisonous.