OLD GROWTH

PART FUNGUS, PART ALGAE, LICHENS ARE AMONG THE MOST ANCIENT AND LONGEST-LIVED ORGANISMS ON THE PLANET

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When lichen appears, some gardeners get very worried. Be curious, not afraid. Lichen is a flat green growth that can have a slightly leafy look but it isn’t a plant and isn’t usually damaging. It can grow on the bark of trees as well as on fences or other timber in the garden — even on the roof or on stonework. Indeed, it’s estimated that lichens cover around six to eight per cent of the world’s land surface, from the arctic tundra to the desert. Lichens are thought to be both ancient and very slow growing. Rather than worry, regard lichen in your garden as a fascinating growth formed by two organisms, algae (or a cyanobacteria) and a fungus, living together. The algae live among the “leaves” of the fungus. This combination of organisms…

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Good Organic Gardening (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue #13.6

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