Wolf Lichen

I always enjoy seeing Wolf Lichen on our walks - it's such a bright yellowy green that it almost seems to glow. This one was growing out in the open on an old, dead tree trunk on the Marston Creek trail, southern edge of Kananaskis.

"Wolf lichens are so named because of their common use as poisons for wolves and foxes in Europe centuries ago. The lichen, with its toxic vulpinic acid, was mixed with ground glass and meat, apparently a deadly combination. The lichen was also used as a source for making a yellow-coloured dye, which is not difficult to imagine." From Botony Photo of the Day.