When it rains, nitrogen is leached from both living and dead lichens and is available to plant life in the immediate area. As lichens die, they contribute to decayed organic matter to the area they inhabit, which enables mosses and seeds from vascular plants to begin developing among the pockets of new soil. Animals utilize lichens in many interdependent ways. It is well documented that numerous animals use lichens for food or shelter. Around 50 species of birds are known to regularly use fruiticose lichens as their preferred nesting material.
Small animals commonly use lichens to hide from natural predators through camouflage and direct cover. CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis.
For more information, visit cfaesdiversity. For an accessible format of this publication, visit cfaes. Skip to main content. Agriculture and Natural Resources. Jim A. Chatfield, Sarah D. Williams, Thomas K. Mitchell and Michael J. What are lichens? What do lichens look like? There are four basic lichen body types: 1. Figure 1. A fruiticose-type lichen attached to an azalea plant. Photo by David J. Figure 2. Because of this, ancient woods are particularly important for lichen as they provide an undisturbed environment where lichen can thrive.
Lichens need this as they take a long time to develop, growing only mm a year. Some species of lichen require alkaline conditions and are only found growing on old bark.
Bark can become more alkaline with age, so species such as ash — which has a relatively high pH alkalinity of bark - are home to a lot of species. In fact, some lichen species are associated with ash! All of this really underlines how crucial a single ancient tree can be for our varied lichen species. Widespread throughout the UK, it can be found on the twigs and trunks of trees with an acidic bark, such as birch. Find out more about beard lichens. The most abundant and widespread Usnea species in the UK and also the most tolerant of air pollution.
Members of this genus are sometimes called strap or cartilage lichens because of those long strap-like branches. When wet it appears green, but is really grey-green. Another strap-like species that is common throughout the UK.
It can be silvery grey-green or yellow-green with narrow flattened branches reaching up to 7cm long. Can be found in a diverse range of habitats from deciduous woodland to sunny, wind-exposed, isolated trees. This brilliantly coloured lichen is sometimes known as common orange lichen or yellow scale.
You may have already seen this lichen on wayside trees, roofing tiles, wooden fences and on both inland and coastal rocks. If the lower surface can be seen there should be a brown colouring at the margin. The pale grey, flattened branches of this lichen will hug the bark of trees tightly.
The end of the each lobe is swollen and can look hood-shaped. This lichen is made up of bright yellow to yellow-green granules and can appear fluffy. Foliose lichens produce leaf-like flattened, lobed thallus. They are commonly found growing on tree trunks. Fruticose lichens grow erect and have visible fruiting bodies.
Crustose lichens form a crust over their host; some of these are brightly colored. Lichens do no damage to tress and should not be removed. But they should be removed from garden statues or sculptures because they can penetrate and damage the stone.
Scraping does not remove the entire thallus, so use sprays containing copper salts to control lichen growth. Let's Stay Connected. By entering your email, you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension. View our privacy policy. Thank you for your submission! Home Lichen in the Garden. Lichen in the Garden.
Lichen is unlike any other organism growing in your garden. Learn more about lichens and why they are the sign of a healthy environment. Crustose lichen on stone. Photo credit: Dianne Machesney. Foliose lichen. Photo credit: Dianne Machesney Fruticose lichen. Photo credit: Dianne Machesney Lichens do no damage to tress and should not be removed.
Authors Dianne Machesney. Why do we need this? Entering your postal code will help us provide news or event updates for your area. Related Products.
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