Article: LICHEN GENUS USNEA IN KARNATAKA

Article Category: Original Research articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.110114

Pages: 72-74

Author: Rajeshwari N., Archana Ramachandra Mesta *, Vinayaka K S

Abstract: Usnea is a well-known genus of lichen for its medicinal uses all over the world. The lichen genus Usnea has fruticose morphology with pendulous or erect thallus and characterized by the presence of usnic acid. The present study aims to know the diversity of Usnea in Karnataka. The genus Usnea is identified up to species level based on its morphological, anatomical and chemical characters. The different forests types in Karnataka were surveyed for the work. We recorded 6 species of Usnea from the different parts of Karnataka. The higher altitudinal regions of the temperate forests harbours rich source of Usnea.

Keyword: Karnataka, Usnea, Usnic acid, fruticose thallus