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Lichen

LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
in Wildlife gardening
Is anyone out there knowledgeable about lichens?  I'd really appreciate a good book or website, preferably not too impenetrably scientific, to help me get to grips with what I'm finding in my garden.  Some sorts are familiar to me (though I don't know what any of them are called), others not.  This is a rural area with clean air; I was clearing up birch twigs from a bed this morning when I found these:



Sorry, not a wonderful photo, but you get the idea.  I reckon there are at least 5 different lichens there, if not more.  I don't think I've ever seen the one on the left before - it's like a bunch of grey-green ribbons about 5 inches in length.



That's a close-up of the ribbony one, showing what I take to be the fruiting bodies.

Looking in the Forum's "search" option I found a rather similar question from @B3 in 2017.  Did you find any useful websites?  I've found one with scientific details and photos of Irish lichens but I need something a bit more basic and user-friendly, I think...

Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Is this any good
    https://www.nhbs.com/lichens-an-illustrated-guide-to-the-british-and-irish-species-book  

    It’s written by the chap who was on the GW lichens programme
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04xwq41 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Thank you, @Dovefromabove.  I don't remember the GW lichens segment - very interesting - and the book looks great, though pricey... perhaps my local library can get it for me.   :)
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Good quality photographic illustrations put up the cost of book production I’m afraid 😳 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
    Liriodendron said:
    Is anyone out there knowledgeable about lichens?  I'd really appreciate a good book or website, preferably not too impenetrably scientific, to help me get to grips with what I'm finding in my garden.  Some sorts are familiar to me (though I don't know what any of them are called), others not.  This is a rural area with clean air; I was clearing up birch twigs from a bed this morning when I found these:



    Sorry, not a wonderful photo, but you get the idea.  I reckon there are at least 5 different lichens there, if not more.  I don't think I've ever seen the one on the left before - it's like a bunch of grey-green ribbons about 5 inches in length.



    That's a close-up of the ribbony one, showing what I take to be the fruiting bodies.

    Looking in the Forum's "search" option I found a rather similar question from @B3 in 2017.  Did you find any useful websites?  I've found one with scientific details and photos of Irish lichens but I need something a bit more basic and user-friendly, I think...

    Most of the time in the UK you’ll see something like a Parmeliopsis, the fairly flat green grey stuff.  Those look like they could be bearded types maybe Usnea subfloridana

     https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/fungi-and-lichens/beard-lichens

    Im no expert but I do have a soft spot for them. Actual symbiosis right there in front of your eyes. :)
  • LunarSeaLunarSea Posts: 1,923
    I think your two lichens on the right are species of Cladonia and the one on the left possibly a Ramalina species.

    A good photographic guide book to have is Roger Phillips' Grasses, Ferns, Mosses & Lichens. Mine was published by Pan Books
    Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border. 

    I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Thank you, @VictorMeldrew.  I'll have a look for that book...  and yes, @JoeX, they are amazing organisms - I can quite understand you having a soft spot for them.   :)
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
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