Talk:Pseudocyphellaria

Citation for potential toxicity
I am unaware of any published reference as to the potential toxicity to humans of Pseudocyphellaria, and given the general lack of popularity of lichens in the culinary traditions of most of the cultures that publish those references, I think it is unlikely that there will be one. However, there are references to the fact that pulvinic acid is poisonous, and that some species of Pseudocyphellaria contain this compound. I realize that putting these facts together to suggest that Pseudocyphellaria may be toxic could be interpreted as constituting original research. However, it is a very small logical step, and I feel that it would be unethical to suggest ingesting this lichen (which the preceding fact does) without cautioning readers of potential toxicity. Very few lichens are poisonous, this happens to be one of them. I think that it would be negligent to omit this fact. Millifolium (talk) 19:37, 17 March 2010 (UTC)