Northern Bowl Lichen: A Mysterious Garden Visitor You Can’t Actually Grow
Have you ever noticed crusty, leaf-like growths on rocks or tree bark in your garden and wondered what they are? You might be looking at a lichen! Today we’re diving into the fascinating world of Psoroma tenue var. borealis, commonly known as northern bowl lichen – a native North American species that’s more mysterious houseguest than garden plant.
What Exactly Is Northern Bowl Lichen?
Here’s where things get interesting: northern bowl lichen isn’t actually a plant at all! It’s a lichen, which is essentially nature’s ultimate partnership. Think of it as a living collaboration between a fungus and an algae (or sometimes a cyanobacterium) that decided to team up and create something entirely new. The fungus provides structure and protection, while the algae handles the food production through photosynthesis. It’s like having a built-in chef and landlord all rolled into one!
This particular variety, Psoroma tenue var. borealis, is native to North America and belongs to the foliose lichen group, meaning it has a leafy, somewhat flat appearance rather than being crusty or shrub-like.
Geographic Distribution
As its name suggests, northern bowl lichen has a preference for cooler, northern climates. While specific distribution data for this variety is limited, the borealis in its name hints at its northern tendencies – think boreal forests and cooler regions across North America.
Is Northern Bowl Lichen Beneficial to Your Garden?
Absolutely! While you can’t plant lichens like you would a tomato or rose bush, having them appear naturally in your garden is actually a fantastic sign. Here’s why lichens like northern bowl lichen are garden gold:
- They’re excellent air quality indicators – lichens are sensitive to pollution, so their presence suggests clean air
- They don’t harm the surfaces they grow on (they’re not parasites)
- They add natural texture and color to garden landscapes
- They provide micro-habitats for tiny creatures
- They help with nitrogen fixation in some cases, enriching the soil
How to Identify Northern Bowl Lichen
Spotting northern bowl lichen can be tricky since detailed identification information for this specific variety is quite limited. However, if you’re lichen-hunting in your garden, look for these general characteristics of foliose lichens:
- Leafy, flat appearance that’s loosely attached to the surface
- Usually gray-green to brownish in color
- Growing on rocks, tree bark, or sometimes soil
- Slightly bowl-shaped or curved edges (hence bowl lichen)
- Typically found in cooler, moister areas of your garden
The You Can’t Grow It Reality
Here’s the thing about lichens that might disappoint eager gardeners: you cannot cultivate them like traditional plants. Lichens are incredibly slow-growing and have very specific environmental requirements that are nearly impossible to replicate artificially. They’ll show up in your garden when conditions are just right – think of them as nature’s way of saying your garden ecosystem is healthy!
Creating Lichen-Friendly Conditions
While you can’t plant northern bowl lichen, you can encourage lichens in general to make themselves at home:
- Minimize air pollution around your property
- Avoid using harsh chemicals or fungicides
- Leave some natural, undisturbed areas in your landscape
- Maintain good air circulation
- Keep some rocks, old wood, or mature trees as potential lichen real estate
Remember, lichens are incredibly slow-growing – we’re talking decades for significant development. So patience is definitely a virtue when it comes to lichen appreciation! If northern bowl lichen does decide to grace your garden with its presence, consider yourself lucky to have such a unique and beneficial native species calling your landscape home.
