Navel Lichen: A Fascinating Rock Dweller in Your Natural Landscape
Have you ever noticed those peculiar, circular growths clinging to rocks during your nature walks? Meet the navel lichen (Umbilicaria vellea), a fascinating organism that’s neither plant nor animal, but something wonderfully in between. This unique lichen gets its common name from its distinctive belly button-like appearance – and once you see it, you’ll understand why!
What Exactly Is Navel Lichen?
Navel lichen is actually a partnership between a fungus and an alga, working together in perfect harmony. This symbiotic relationship creates what we see as a single organism, though it’s technically two different life forms sharing resources. The fungus provides structure and protection, while the alga photosynthesizes to create food for both partners.
Also known by its scientific name Umbilicaria vellea (and formerly called Gyrophora vellea), this lichen is native to North America and plays an important ecological role in rocky environments across the continent’s northern regions.
Where You’ll Find This Rocky Resident
Navel lichen makes its home throughout northern North America, particularly in boreal and subarctic regions. You’ll typically spot it growing on acidic rock surfaces in cool, humid environments where few other organisms can survive.
Identifying Navel Lichen
Spotting navel lichen is easier than you might think once you know what to look for:
- Circular, disk-like appearance ranging from 2-8 inches across
- Gray to brownish coloration that may appear darker when wet
- Distinctive navel or umbilicate center that gives it its common name
- Leathery, somewhat brittle texture
- Attached to rock surfaces by a central holdfast
- Often found growing alongside other rock-dwelling lichens
Is Navel Lichen Beneficial for Your Garden?
While you can’t plant or cultivate navel lichen in a traditional garden setting, its presence on natural rock features is actually quite beneficial to your landscape ecosystem:
- Helps break down rock surfaces, contributing to soil formation over time
- Provides food for wildlife, including caribou, deer, and various insects
- Indicates good air quality, as lichens are sensitive to pollution
- Adds natural beauty and scientific interest to rock gardens and natural areas
- Creates microhabitats for tiny organisms
Can You Grow Navel Lichen?
Here’s where things get interesting – you simply can’t cultivate navel lichen like you would a typical garden plant. These remarkable organisms require very specific conditions that develop naturally over many years. They grow extremely slowly and are impossible to propagate through traditional gardening methods.
However, if you’re lucky enough to have natural rock outcroppings on your property, you might discover navel lichen already calling your landscape home. In this case, the best thing you can do is simply appreciate and protect it.
Appreciating Nature’s Partnership
Rather than trying to grow navel lichen, consider it a delightful bonus when it appears naturally in your landscape. Its presence indicates a healthy, unpolluted environment and adds a touch of ancient wisdom to your outdoor space. These slow-growing partnerships between fungus and alga have been perfecting their collaboration for millions of years – now that’s what we call relationship goals!
Next time you’re exploring rocky areas, keep an eye out for these fascinating navel-like formations. You’ll be witnessing one of nature’s most successful partnerships in action, quietly doing its part to make our world a more diverse and beautiful place.
