Morphological and Medicinal Aspects of Some Lichens from Summerhill and Its Adjoining Areas of Shimla District of Himachal Pradesh

Lichens contribute significantly in ecosystem health and biodiversity. This investigation explores the range and dispersion of lichens in the study area, with a focus on their habitat preferences and environmental adaptations. Comprehensive field surveys were conducted to document lichen species, followed by taxonomic identification using morphological, anatomical, and chemical techniques. Preliminary results reveal a rich diversity of lichen species across varying habitats, including soil, rock, and tree substrates. 15 lichen species were identified within the study area, encompassing 13 genera and distributed among 8 families. Some of the lichen species present in the study sites are Cladonia cartilaginea Müll. Arg., Lecanora helva Stizenb., Physcia dilatata Nyl., thus showing variation in growth forms in the area. Parmeliaceae was the dominant family with 4 members followed by Cladoniaceae, Lecanoraceae and Physciaceae with 2 members each.