Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa
Encyclopedia
Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa, commonly known as the tumbleweed shield lichen, is a lichen
ized species of fungus in the Parmeliaceae
family. This lichen, abundant on the High Plains of Wyoming
, has been implicated in the poisoning of domestic sheep and cattle in that state during the 1930s, and then again in 2004. It has been used as a remedy for impetigo
by the Navajo
.
Lichen
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner , usually either a green alga or cyanobacterium...
ized species of fungus in the Parmeliaceae
Parmeliaceae
The Parmeliaceae is a large and diverse family of Lecanoromycetes. With over 2000 species in roughly 87 genera, it is currently regarded as the largest family of lichen forming fungi...
family. This lichen, abundant on the High Plains of Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
, has been implicated in the poisoning of domestic sheep and cattle in that state during the 1930s, and then again in 2004. It has been used as a remedy for impetigo
Impetigo
Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection most common among pre-school children. People who play close contact sports such as rugby, American football and wrestling are also susceptible, regardless of age. Impetigo is not as common in adults. The name derives from the Latin impetere...
by the Navajo
Navajo people
The Navajo of the Southwestern United States are the largest single federally recognized tribe of the United States of America. The Navajo Nation has 300,048 enrolled tribal members. The Navajo Nation constitutes an independent governmental body which manages the Navajo Indian reservation in the...
.