Myelochroa Lichen: A Hidden Gem Living on Your Trees
Have you ever noticed those crusty, yellowish-green patches growing on tree bark in your yard and wondered what they were? You might be looking at myelochroa lichen (Myelochroa aurulenta), a fascinating organism that’s more beneficial to your garden ecosystem than you might think!
What Exactly Is Myelochroa Lichen?
Here’s where things get interesting: myelochroa lichen isn’t actually a plant at all! It’s a unique partnership between a fungus and an algae, working together as one organism. This collaboration creates those distinctive patches you see on tree bark, and it’s been perfecting this arrangement for millions of years.
Myelochroa aurulenta is native to North America and goes by several scientific names you might encounter, including Parmelina aurulenta, Parmelia aurulenta, and Parmelia silvestris. But don’t worry about memorizing those – myelochroa lichen works just fine for most of us!
Where You’ll Find This Lichen
This lichen calls eastern and southeastern North America home, thriving in humid, forested regions where the air is clean and the trees are mature. If you spot it in your garden, consider it a compliment – it’s basically giving your local air quality a thumbs up!
What Does Myelochroa Lichen Look Like?
Identifying myelochroa lichen is easier than you might think:
- Forms crusty, yellowish-green to pale greenish patches on tree bark
- Has a somewhat powdery or granular texture
- Appears as irregular, spreading patches rather than distinct shapes
- Typically found on the bark of mature trees in shaded areas
Is It Good for Your Garden?
Absolutely! While myelochroa lichen won’t add colorful blooms to your landscape, it brings some pretty amazing benefits:
- Air quality indicator: Its presence suggests you have good air quality – lichens are sensitive to pollution
- Ecosystem authenticity: It adds to the natural character of woodland gardens
- Habitat support: Provides microhabitat for tiny insects and other small creatures
- No maintenance required: It takes care of itself completely
Should You Encourage or Remove It?
Here’s the short answer: leave it alone! Myelochroa lichen doesn’t harm trees – it’s simply using the bark as a place to live. It doesn’t penetrate or damage the tree’s living tissue, so there’s no need to scrub it off.
In fact, trying to remove it can actually damage your trees more than the lichen ever would. Plus, you’d be removing a beneficial part of your local ecosystem that took years to establish.
Creating Lichen-Friendly Conditions
You can’t exactly plant myelochroa lichen, but you can create conditions where it might naturally appear:
- Maintain mature trees with textured bark
- Ensure good air quality around your property
- Keep some areas of your garden naturally shaded and humid
- Avoid using harsh chemicals or pressure washing tree bark
The Bottom Line
Myelochroa lichen is like having a tiny, self-maintaining piece of old-growth forest right in your backyard. It’s a sign that your garden ecosystem is healthy and mature. Rather than something to remove, it’s something to appreciate as part of the complex web of life that makes naturalistic gardens so special.
So next time you notice those yellowish-green crusty patches on your trees, give them a nod of appreciation. They’re quiet contributors to your garden’s biodiversity, asking for nothing and giving back clean air certification in return!
