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Cetraria islandica
  • Iceland Moss

a member of the Cetraria genus in the family Parmeliaceae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 2
    Zone 2
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Cetraria islandica has 0 edible uses listed
Cetraria islandica has 0 material uses listed
Cetraria islandica has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

A jelly is made by boiling the whole plant. It is nutritious and medicinal[1][2][3]. Rather bitter, it requires leaching, which can be done by changing the cooking water once or twice during the cooking process[4]. The dried and powdered plant can be mixed with wheat and used in making bread[5][6][3]. It is very bitter and the process required to leach it is far too time-consuming and tedious to be countenanced[7].

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

A powerful antibiotic can be obtained from the plant and this has become a fundamental ingredient in a wide range of commercially produced disinfectants[8]. A brown dye is obtained from the plant[6][3].

Unknown part

Disinfectant
Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Iceland moss has been used since ancient times as a cough remedy and has also been used in European folk medicine as a cancer treatment[9]. In present day herbalism it is highly prized for its strongly antibiotic and demulcent actions, being used especially to soothe the mucous membranes of the chest, to counter catarrh and calm dry and paroxysmal coughs - it is particularly helpful as a treatment for elderly people[9]. Iceland moss has both a demulcent and a bitter tonic effect within the gut - a combination almost unique amongst medicinal herbs[9]. The whole plant is strongly antibiotic, antiemetic, strongly demulcent, galactogogue, nutritive and tonic[10][8][7][11][6][3][12][13][9]. It is excellent when used internally in the treatment of chronic pulmonary problems, catarrh, dysentery, chronic digestive disturbances (including irritable bowel syndrome and food poisoning) and advanced tuberculosis[10][9]. Externally, it is used in the treatment of boils, vaginal discharges and impetigo[13]. The plant can be harvested as required throughout the year[8], preferably during dry weather, and can also be dried for later use[7]. Use with caution[11].

Unknown part

Antibiotic
Antiemetic
Demulcent
Galactogogue
Nutritive
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

The only way of reproducing this plant is vegetatively. Almost any part of the plant can be used to produce a new plant, simply separate a portion and place it in its new home.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cetraria islandica. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

There is no known information on the cultivation of this plant[13]. It requires clean air and is very intolerant of atmospheric pollution so cannot be grown in towns[13]. See the plants native habitat above for ideas on how it can be encouraged to grow[K].

This species is a lichen, which is actually a symbiotic association of two different species, one an algae and the other a fungus. It is very slow-growing[7].

This plant is often used in commercially produced disinfectants[8].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cetraria islandica. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Cetraria islandica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cetraria islandica
Genus
Cetraria
Family
Parmeliaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Medicinal uses
[9][10][8][7][11][6][3][12][13]
Material uses & Functions
[8][6][3]
Botanic
[8]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
2
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    ?
    Growth Rate
    slow
    Mature Size
    0.05 x 0.5 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type











    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health (1973-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.6 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    5. ? 5.05.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.5 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.5 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.6 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.5 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)


    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Cetraria_islandica&oldid=76120"
    Facts about "Cetraria islandica"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyParmeliaceae +
    Belongs to genusCetraria +
    Has binomial nameCetraria islandica +
    Has common nameIceland Moss +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has growth rateSlow +
    Has hardiness zone2 +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDisinfectant + and Dye +
    Has mature height0.05 +
    Has mature width0.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntibiotic +, Antiemetic +, Demulcent +, Galactogogue +, Nutritive + and Tonic +
    Has search namecetraria islandica + and iceland moss +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameCetraria islandica +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Cetraria islandica +, Cetraria islandica +, Cetraria islandica +, Cetraria islandica +, Cetraria islandica +, Cetraria islandica +, Cetraria islandica +, Cetraria islandica + and Cetraria islandica +