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Description

If you are lucky to find this lichen, take a deep breath as the Tree Lungwort only grows where the air is pure and fresh.

It was once common found across Ireland but is now only found in ancient woodlands along the west coast.

Lichens are composite organisms, made from an algae, a fungi and sometimes a bacteria, all happily living together. In order to survive, lichens produce many unique compounds which often exhibit antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Lungwort has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. It was often used to treat respiratory infections, hence its name.

Recently scientists have discovered that extracts of lungwort could be used to effectively treat neurodegenerative wasting diseases such as dementia.

How sad it is to realise that in destroying our beautiful woodlands, we potentially risk destroying a powerful medicine.

This lichen branch came from Glengarrif Woods, Co. Cork. It was found after a storm and collected by Clare Heardman, Conservation Ranger who posted it to me to paint.

The painting was awarded a Gold Medal and Best in Show at the Bloom Botanical & Floral Art Exhibition 2022 in Dublin.

This Signed Limited Edition Fine Art Print is printed on museum quality paper using archival inks.