Cercidospora Lichen: A Mysterious Native You Probably Won’t Plant
If you’ve stumbled across the name cercidospora lichen in your native plant research, you might be wondering if this North American native deserves a spot in your garden. Well, here’s the thing – Cercidospora epipolytropa isn’t your typical garden center find, and there’s a very good reason for that!
What Exactly Is Cercidospora Lichen?
Cercidospora epipolytropa is a specialized lichen species native to North America. Unlike the flowering plants we usually think of when planning our gardens, lichens are fascinating composite organisms made up of fungi living in partnership with algae or cyanobacteria. Think of them as nature’s ultimate roommates – they’ve figured out how to share resources and create something entirely new together.
This particular lichen is what scientists call a lichenicolous species, which means it’s a lichen that actually grows on other lichens. It’s like nature’s version of an apartment building, where one organism sets up shop on another!
Where You’ll Find This Native
Cercidospora lichen calls North America home, though specific distribution details remain somewhat mysterious in the scientific literature. Like many specialized lichen species, it likely has very particular habitat requirements that limit where it can successfully establish itself.
Is This Lichen Good for Your Garden?
Here’s where things get interesting (and maybe a little disappointing if you were hoping to add this to your native plant wish list). Cercidospora lichen isn’t something you can simply order from a nursery or plant in your backyard. These specialized organisms require very specific conditions and host relationships that are nearly impossible to recreate in a typical garden setting.
However, that doesn’t mean lichens in general aren’t beneficial to your garden ecosystem! Many lichens:
- Help indicate good air quality
- Provide food for wildlife
- Add interesting textures and colors to natural areas
- Contribute to soil formation over time
How to Spot Cercidospora Lichen
If you’re curious about finding this native lichen in the wild, you’ll need to become a bit of a detective. Look for it growing on other lichen species rather than directly on rocks, trees, or soil. Its appearance and characteristics aren’t well-documented in popular field guides, so positive identification would likely require expert consultation or specialized scientific resources.
The Bottom Line for Gardeners
While Cercidospora epipolytropa is indeed a native North American species, it’s not practical for home cultivation. If you’re interested in supporting native lichens in your landscape, focus on creating healthy, diverse habitats with minimal air pollution, avoid using harsh chemicals, and maintain areas of your property in a more natural state where lichens can establish themselves organically.
For gardeners passionate about supporting native ecosystems, consider planting native flowering plants, shrubs, and trees that will attract and support the wildlife that may, in turn, interact with specialized species like cercidospora lichen in their natural habitats.
