Crusty Jelly Lichen: A Fascinating Natural Addition to Your Garden Ecosystem
If you’ve ever noticed small, crusty patches growing on rocks, tree bark, or even old fences in your garden, you might have encountered the crusty jelly lichen (Collema tenax var. crustaceum). While you can’t exactly plant this fascinating organism like you would a flower or shrub, understanding what it is and why it appears can help you appreciate the hidden complexity of your garden’s ecosystem.
What Exactly Is Crusty Jelly Lichen?
First things first – crusty jelly lichen isn’t actually a plant at all! It’s a lichen, which is a remarkable partnership between a fungus and algae (or sometimes cyanobacteria) working together in perfect harmony. Think of it as nature’s ultimate roommate situation, where both parties benefit from the arrangement.
This particular lichen is native to North America and gets its jelly name from its unique ability to become soft and gelatinous when wet, then dry out to form a crusty surface when moisture disappears.
Geographic Distribution
Crusty jelly lichen can be found throughout various regions of North America, though specific distribution data varies by location and environmental conditions.
How to Identify Crusty Jelly Lichen
Spotting crusty jelly lichen in your garden is easier than you might think, once you know what to look for:
- Forms crusty, irregular patches on surfaces
- Appears dry and brittle during dry conditions
- Becomes soft, swollen, and jelly-like when wet
- Typically grows on rocks, tree bark, soil, or other stable surfaces
- Color can vary but often appears grayish or brownish when dry
Is Crusty Jelly Lichen Beneficial for Your Garden?
While you might not have invited this little organism to your garden party, it’s actually a pretty wonderful guest to have around! Here’s why:
- Air quality indicator: Lichens are notoriously sensitive to air pollution, so their presence suggests your garden enjoys relatively clean air
- Soil preparation: Over time, lichens help break down rock surfaces, contributing to soil formation
- Ecosystem support: They provide habitat and food for various small creatures and insects
- Natural character: Adds authentic wildness and natural aging to garden features
Can You Grow Crusty Jelly Lichen?
Here’s where things get interesting – you can’t really grow lichens the way you’d grow a tomato plant. They’re not available at your local nursery, and you can’t plant them from seeds. Lichens establish themselves naturally when conditions are right.
However, you can encourage lichen growth by:
- Maintaining good air quality around your property
- Providing stable surfaces like natural stone, untreated wood, or clay
- Avoiding the use of harsh chemicals or cleaning products on surfaces where lichens might grow
- Being patient – lichens grow very slowly, sometimes just millimeters per year
Should You Remove It?
Generally speaking, there’s no need to remove crusty jelly lichen from your garden. It’s not harmful to plants, structures, or people, and it’s actually a sign of a healthy environment. If you’re going for a more manicured look, you can gently remove it, but consider leaving some areas wild to support this fascinating part of your garden’s natural ecosystem.
The Bottom Line
Crusty jelly lichen might not be the showstopper in your garden that roses or delphiniums are, but it’s a quiet indicator that your outdoor space is supporting diverse life forms. Next time you spot those crusty patches, take a moment to appreciate this ancient partnership between fungus and algae that’s been perfecting the art of cooperation for millions of years. Your garden is richer for having these tiny ecosystem engineers as residents!
