Navel Lichen: Nature’s Living Rock Art in Your Landscape
Ever noticed those dark, circular patches clinging to rocks in natural areas? You might be looking at navel lichen (Umbilicaria decussata), one of nature’s most fascinating partnerships between fungi and algae. While you can’t exactly plant this unique organism in your garden like a typical flower or shrub, understanding what it is and recognizing its presence can add a whole new dimension to your appreciation of the natural world around your property.
What Exactly Is Navel Lichen?
Navel lichen isn’t actually a plant at all—it’s a lichen! This means it’s a remarkable collaboration between a fungus and algae working together as one organism. The scientific name Umbilicaria decussata might be a mouthful, but it’s also known by the more memorable synonyms Gyrophora decussata and Omphalodiscus decussatus. Think of lichens as nature’s ultimate roommates: the fungus provides structure and protection, while the algae produces food through photosynthesis.
Where You’ll Find This Native Beauty
This fascinating organism is native to North America and typically makes its home on bare rock surfaces in mountainous and rocky regions. You’re most likely to spot it in areas with clean air and minimal pollution, as lichens are incredibly sensitive to air quality.
Identifying Navel Lichen
Spotting Umbilicaria decussata is like discovering nature’s own art installation. Here’s what to look for:
- Dark, circular or irregular patches attached to rock surfaces
- Leather-like, somewhat wrinkled texture
- Typically brown to blackish in color
- Attached to the rock at a central point (hence the navel name)
- Can range from small coin-sized patches to larger formations
Is Navel Lichen Beneficial to Your Garden?
While you can’t cultivate navel lichen in a traditional garden setting, its presence around your property is actually fantastic news! Here’s why:
- It serves as a natural air quality indicator—if you see healthy lichen populations, you likely have clean air
- It adds visual interest to natural rock formations and stone walls
- It’s part of the ecosystem, providing habitat for tiny insects and other small creatures
- It helps with soil formation by slowly breaking down rock surfaces over time
Why You Can’t (And Shouldn’t Try to) Grow It
Unlike your typical garden plants, navel lichen has very specific requirements that make cultivation nearly impossible:
- It needs bare rock surfaces as its substrate
- It requires specific moisture and humidity conditions
- It’s extremely sensitive to air pollution
- It grows incredibly slowly, sometimes taking years to establish
- Attempting to transplant it usually results in the lichen’s death
Appreciating What You Have
If you’re lucky enough to have natural rock outcroppings or stone walls where navel lichen appears naturally, consider yourself blessed with a living indicator of environmental health. The best thing you can do is simply observe and appreciate this remarkable organism. Avoid using harsh chemicals or pressure washing near areas where lichens grow, as they’re extremely sensitive to disturbance.
Remember, the presence of healthy lichen populations like Umbilicaria decussata around your property is a sign that you’re living in an area with good air quality—something that benefits both you and your cultivated garden plants!
