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Friends of Kananaskis Country

Enhance, protect and share the unique natural and cultural experiences of Kananaskis Country through public participation and environmental education.

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    • Powderface Creek Trail Project
    • Trail Care
      • Recruiting Crew Leaders & Backcountry Crew
      • Migratory Birds and the Friends
    • Canmore Trail Alliance
    • Trails Fest
    • Environmental Education
    • Chandra Crawford Hut at CNC
  • Engage
    • Sign Up and Join Us
    • Volunteer
      • What are Trail Days like?
      • Trail Day – What to Bring & Expect
      • Volunteer Projects
    • Corporate & Group Trail Days
    • Volunteer Agreement, Release and Waiver of Liability Form
    • Trail Groups and Clubs
  • Library
    • Latest News
    • Annual Reports
    • Great Kananaskis Flood Book
    • Bylaws & Cooperating Agreement
    • Newsletter
      • 2020 Newsletter Archive
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      • 2018 Newsletter Archive
      • 2017 Newsletter Archive
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      • 2014 Newsletter Archive
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      • 1997 – 2008 Newsletter Archive
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      • Legacy Fund FAQs
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Wolf Lichen

Wolf Lichen

It’s an iridescent green, so almost glows in the dark in the forest. Wolf Lichen is easy to find, identify and see all year round. It’s particularly fond of dry wood that has no bark, and really likes Douglas Fir trees.

Not that we recommend eating any plants in K-Country, but this one really needs to be avoided. It’s rich in vulpinic acid, which is bright yellow and gives Wolf Lichen it’s colour. That makes it toxic to any meat-eating mammal, and insects as well. Interestingly, it is not toxic to mice nor hares, and like most lichens, is eaten by ungulates such as deer and elk.

We humans took advantage of Wolf Lichen’s toxicity in olden times. In Northern Europe in the late 1750’s, this lichen was used to poison wolves, which is how it got it’s name. It would be mixed with ground up glass or blood, or with animal fat and nails, with deadly results to wolves and foxes. It’s Latin name Letharia vulpina literally translates as “Deadly to foxes”.

Indigenous people took advantage of Wolf Lichen to make dyes to colour clothes, and also to make face paints. Some central US tribes used it to make a poultice for swelling, bruising & bleeding.

Unlike Usnea or Bryoria, Wolf Lichen doesn’t tend to grow very big, so is seen as small and possibly numerous tufts. It is very tolerant of cold temperatures. Like all lichens, it has an outer fungus and inner algae that live in symbiosis. The fungal exterior of Wolf Lichen can rapidly create conditions conducive to algal activity literally within minutes of being exposed to sunshine or warmth, and can do so at sub-zero temperatures. 

Meet more of the fascinating lichens and fungi of K-Country here!

L ->R: Wolf, Bryoria & Usnea Lichens

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Contact Us

email: info@kananaskis.org
Phone: 403.678.5593
Mail Address:
Suite 201, 800 Railway Ave.
Canmore, Alberta
T1W 1P1

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For time immemorial Kananaskis Country has connected people to the land and each other.
We acknowledge the Iyhare Nakoda (the Wesley, Chiniki, and Bearspaw), the three Nations of the Blackfoot Confederacy: the Pikani, Kainai and Siksika; the Tsuu T'ina Nation, Metis Nation Region 3 and the Kootenay - the traditional stewards and trail builders who continue to reside, learn and care for this exquisite natural and cultural landscape.
We dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership in a meaningful way.
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