Icelandic Moss (Cetraria Icelandica)

Plant Description: Cetraria islandica is not a moss, but lichen, a symbiotic association between algae and fungus. Although it is not a vascular plant, the structure of Iceland moss can be mistaken for stems and leaves, which make it look like a moss; the likeness in appearance may have been the reason for its name.
Cetraria islandica is a fruticose, or shrub-like and bushy, lichen growing loosely on the soil to a height of 3-4 inches. The thallus (the body of fungi and lichens, being without vascular tissue and not differentiating into root, stem and leaves) is channeled or rolled into thin, branched tubes, which terminate in flattened lobes fringed with minute papillae, rarely more than 5mm wide.
The whole lichen is very tough and springy. It varies considerably from pale chestnut to grayish white; the upper surface is darker, the under surface is lighter to whitish. There are white spots which have a chalky or mealy appearance, and which are lodged in little depressions of the thallus.

Plant Part Used: The whole lichen. It may be gathered throughout the year; during the dry weather between May and September is best. It can be dried for later use by removing loose debris and drying it in direct sun or shade.