Parish’s Reinkella Lichen: A Mysterious Native You Might Already Have
Have you ever noticed crusty, almost paint-like patches growing on rocks or tree bark in your garden and wondered what they were? You might be looking at a lichen – and possibly even Parish’s reinkella lichen (Reinkella parishii), one of North America’s more elusive native species that quietly goes about its business in our landscapes.
What Exactly Is Parish’s Reinkella Lichen?
Let’s clear up a common misconception first: lichens aren’t plants at all! Parish’s reinkella lichen is actually a fascinating partnership between a fungus and an alga (or sometimes cyanobacteria), working together in perfect harmony. Think of it as nature’s ultimate roommate situation – the fungus provides structure and protection, while the alga handles the food production through photosynthesis.
This particular lichen goes by the scientific name Reinkella parishii, though you might also see it referenced as Reinkella subcrustacea in older texts. It’s a native North American species, which means it has been quietly doing its thing in our ecosystems long before any of us started thinking about native gardening.
Where You’ll Find This Native Wanderer
Parish’s reinkella lichen is native to North America, though specific details about its exact range remain somewhat mysterious – much like the lichen itself. This species tends to keep a low profile, and researchers are still mapping out where exactly it calls home.
Is Parish’s Reinkella Lichen Good for Your Garden?
Here’s where things get interesting: you don’t really grow lichens in the traditional sense, but they can absolutely be beneficial garden residents! Lichens like Parish’s reinkella are:
- Natural air quality indicators – their presence suggests clean air
- Habitat providers for tiny creatures like mites and springtails
- Part of the natural succession process in ecosystems
- Completely harmless to plants, trees, and garden structures
How to Identify Parish’s Reinkella Lichen
Identifying specific lichen species can be tricky business, even for experts! Parish’s reinkella lichen is what lichenologists call a crustose lichen, meaning it forms a crust-like growth that’s tightly attached to whatever surface it’s growing on.
Unfortunately, distinguishing Parish’s reinkella from its lichen cousins often requires microscopic examination and chemical tests – definitely beyond what most of us want to tackle on a weekend garden walk. If you’re curious about the lichens in your garden, consider reaching out to your local mycological society or university extension office.
Living Alongside Your Lichen Neighbors
The best approach to Parish’s reinkella lichen is simply to appreciate it as part of your garden’s natural community. These slow-growing organisms are incredibly sensitive to environmental changes, so their presence is actually a good sign that your garden ecosystem is healthy.
If you spot what you think might be Parish’s reinkella lichen (or any lichen, for that matter) in your garden:
- Leave it alone – lichens grow extremely slowly and are easily disturbed
- Avoid using pesticides or fungicides nearby, as lichens are highly sensitive to chemicals
- Consider it a badge of honor – you’re providing habitat for some of nature’s most fascinating partnerships
- Enjoy the subtle beauty these organisms add to rocks, bark, and other surfaces
The Bottom Line on Parish’s Reinkella Lichen
While Parish’s reinkella lichen might not be the showstopper that draws visitors to your garden, it represents something pretty special: a native organism that’s been quietly contributing to North American ecosystems for countless generations. You can’t plant it, you can’t really manage it, but you can certainly appreciate it as part of the incredible diversity that makes native gardening so rewarding.
So the next time you’re wandering through your garden and spot those mysterious crusty growths on a rock or tree trunk, take a moment to appreciate the possibility that you’re looking at one of nature’s most successful partnerships – and maybe even the elusive Parish’s reinkella lichen itself.
