V-fingers

Allocetraria madreporiformis, commonly known as V-fingers, is a species of fruticose lichen in the family Parmeliaceae. It forms a yellow-brown thallus of branching, somewhat inflated lobes that grow directly on the ground in arctic and high-mountain (alpine) habitats across the Northern Hemisphere. The species favours calcareous (lime-rich) soils in exposed, wind-swept sites such as ridges and arctic steppes, where wind erosion keeps mineral soil surfaces open. First described in 1810 by Erik Acharius and placed in Allocetraria in 1996, it contains usnic acid and protolichesterinic acid.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it poisonous?

We have no record of V-fingers being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

• Xanthoparmelia camtschadalis
• Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa
• Flavocetraria cucullata

Classification

Kingdom

Fungi

Phylum

Ascomycota

Class

Lecanoromycetes

Order

Lecanorales

Family

Parmeliaceae

Genus

Allocetraria

Species

Allocetraria madreporiformis

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