Cetraria is a genus of fruticose lichens that associate with green algae as photobionts. Most species are found at high latitudes, occurring on sand or heath. Species have a characteristic "strap-like" form, with spiny lobe edges.
Cetraria islandica, Iceland moss, is one of the few culinary lichens, ground and eaten by Northern Europeans in times of famine.
Another species is used today as a "bulking" agent in garam masala of traditional Indian cuisine.
Species
Cetraria aculeata
Cetraria arenaria
Cetraria australiensis
Cetraria corrugata
Cetraria endochrysea
Cetraria ericetorum
Cetraria flavonigrescens
Cetraria isidiigera
Cetraria islandica
Cetraria kamczatica
Cetraria laevigata
Cetraria minuscula
Cetraria muricata
Cetraria nigricans
Cetraria odontella
Cetraria racemosa
Cetraria sepincola
Cetraria sinensis
Cetraria wangii
Cetraria weii
The species once known as Cetraria subscutata was placed into synonymy with Nephromopsis chlorophylla.