Question

Which lichen (known as dog lichen) was used for treatment of rabies?

• A. Lobaria
• B. Ochrolochia
• C. Evernia
• D. Peltigera

Hint:

The common name of this lichen refers to a dog's teeth, and its species name literally means canine.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: The lichen genus Peltigera includes the species Peltigera canina, commonly called dog lichen because of its tooth-like fruiting structures resembling a dog's canine teeth and its species epithet canina meaning of the dog.

Step 2: Historically, Peltigera canina was used in folk and traditional medicine as a treatment for rabies (hydrophobia), which is where the common name dog lichen comes from.

Step 3: Lobaria is used more for respiratory and liver ailments, Evernia (oak moss) is valued in the perfume industry, and Ochrolochia is not a well known medicinal lichen genus in this context, so none of these match the dog lichen/rabies association.

Step 4: Therefore the correct answer is Peltigera.