Parmelia perlata
(Huds.) Ach.
Stone flower
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Harry Podschwit, some rights reserved (CC BY)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Harry Podschwit, some rights reserved (CC BY)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Harry Podschwit, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Description
A tropical lichen in the Parmeliaceae family, commonly known as stone flower.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
The flowers are edible.
Medicinal Uses
Parmotrema perlatum is used as a component of a herbal mixture in Ayurvedic medicine, one of several parmelioid lichen species used as charila. Referenced in ancient Ayurvedic texts and first mentioned in the Atharvaveda around 1500 BCE, charila is a lichen mixture traditionally used in India for its purported medicinal properties. It has been employed to treat various ailments, including digestive and respiratory issues, skin conditions, and reproductive health concerns, and it also serves as an ingredient in treatments for infertility. For chronic ulcers, a powder made from dried lichen, infused in pork suet, is applied externally.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant.
Where It Grows
Asia, India,
Also Known As
Charila
References (1)
- Pradhan, R., et al, 2020, Potential Wild Edible Plants and its Significance in Livelihood of Indigenous People of Male Mahadeshwara Hills, Karnataka. Economic Affairs Vol. 64, No. 4 pp. 01-14
