Behring’s Rim Lichen: A Fascinating Native You Can’t Plant (But Should Appreciate!)
If you’ve ever wondered about those crusty, pale patches you spot on rocks or tree bark during your garden wanderings, you might just be looking at Behring’s rim lichen (Lecanora behringii). This isn’t your typical garden plant – in fact, it’s not a plant at all! Let’s dive into the wonderful world of this native North American lichen and discover why it deserves a spot on your nature appreciation list, even if it’ll never make it onto your planting wishlist.
What Exactly Is Behring’s Rim Lichen?
Here’s where things get wonderfully weird: Lecanora behringii isn’t actually a single organism. It’s a lichen, which means it’s a fantastic partnership between a fungus and algae (or sometimes cyanobacteria) living together in perfect harmony. Think of it as nature’s ultimate roommate situation – the fungus provides structure and protection, while the algae whips up food through photosynthesis. Pretty clever, right?
This particular lichen is native to North America, making it a true local resident that’s been quietly doing its thing long before any of us started thinking about native gardening.
Spotting Behring’s Rim Lichen in the Wild
While we can’t give you specific identification details for this particular species (the research is pretty limited), Lecanora lichens typically share some family traits:
- Crusty, flat appearance that seems almost painted onto surfaces
- Pale gray to whitish coloring
- Forms patches or colonies on rocks, bark, or sometimes soil
- Often has small, disc-like reproductive structures called apothecia
Is It Good for Your Garden?
Here’s the thing – you can’t exactly plant Behring’s rim lichen in your garden beds like you would a native wildflower. Lichens are incredibly picky about their growing conditions and can’t be cultivated like traditional plants. They’re also extremely slow-growing, taking years or even decades to establish themselves.
However, if this lichen naturally appears in your garden space, consider yourself lucky! Its presence is actually a good sign – many lichens are sensitive to air pollution, so seeing them suggests your local environment is relatively clean.
The Benefits of Having Lichens Around
While Behring’s rim lichen won’t directly attract butterflies to your garden, lichens do play important ecological roles:
- They help break down rock surfaces, contributing to soil formation over time
- Some birds use lichens as nesting material
- They can serve as food for certain insects and small creatures
- They’re excellent indicators of environmental health
What This Means for Your Native Garden
If you’re passionate about native gardening, appreciating lichens like Lecanora behringii is part of understanding your local ecosystem. While you can’t add them to your shopping list, you can:
- Avoid disturbing areas where lichens naturally occur
- Minimize the use of chemicals that might harm these sensitive organisms
- Learn to identify and appreciate the lichens already present in your area
- Consider them a bonus feature if they appear naturally in your native landscape
The Bottom Line
Behring’s rim lichen represents the wild, uncontrollable beauty of native ecosystems. While you can’t plant it, buy it, or tend it like your beloved native perennials, you can certainly appreciate it as part of North America’s incredible natural heritage. Next time you’re out in your garden or exploring natural areas, take a moment to look for these quiet, persistent little partnerships – they’ve been mastering the art of cooperation long before we figured out companion planting!
Remember, the best native gardens aren’t just about what we plant – they’re about creating spaces where all kinds of native life can thrive, from the showiest wildflowers to the most humble lichens.
