Lichen Search!

  This time of year always finds me almost obsessed with lichens and mosses.  Most of the time, the lichens are hidden but with a lot of tree limbs bare of leaves, they are more easily seen.  This opens up a whole new world to discover.  Lichens, mosses and molds are often overlooked as things of beauty and interest.  They intrigue me.  Since they really do not fit in with plants, as we know them, these three almost seem to from an alien world.  It is not uncommon to find dozens of different types growing together on a single tree branch.  Some can be branchy or wispy while others are flat.  Some have funky, little knobs on the ends of stalks and others are mere dots.  In all, there are over 15,000 different lichens!  Imagine trying to find that many!

  Most folks do not even notice (or care to notice) lichens in their gardens.  To other folks, these are "nuisance" growths on their "perfect" trees and will go to great ends to rid the place of the lichens.  That is ridiculous for several reasons!  First, the lichens are not out to take over the world or even the garden.  They are simply existing and doing it quite well.  Lichens can add an "established" look to a garden and, since they are highly sensitive to toxins, they can be used to assess the health of a garden.  Pretty neat little things, when you think about them.

  On a hike about the hillside this afternoon, PJ and I discovered a wealth of lichens on the crape myrtle trees and on several oak trees.  I have to admit that the old dog was more interested in the squirrels than the lichens but he was patient with my examining the tree branches and I welcomed his presence during my search.