The lichen was stuffed into dead chickens and left out for wolves to consume. After the chicken was digested in the guts of the wolf, the lichens released usnic acid, which in crystalline form cut up the insides of the wolf's guts, so that the wolf would bleed to death internally. Another great site is LichenLand from Oregon State University. A very user-friendly page about lichen biology, with many pictures and a synoptic key to Northwest Lichens. I hope you enjoyed this month's fungus.
Lichens are beautiful dual organisms.
They are fun to observe in nature and interesting in the lab.