Pennsylvania Blistered Naval Lichen: A Rocky Garden Ally You Didn’t Know You Had
Meet the Pennsylvania blistered naval lichen (Lasallia pensylvanica), a fascinating organism that’s probably already living in your garden—you just might not have noticed it yet! This isn’t your typical garden plant, and that’s exactly what makes it so special.
What Exactly Is a Lichen?
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s clear up what we’re dealing with here. Lichens aren’t plants, fungi, or algae—they’re actually a partnership between all of these! Think of them as nature’s ultimate roommate situation, where a fungus and an alga (or cyanobacterium) team up to create something entirely new. The Pennsylvania blistered naval lichen is one of these remarkable collaborations.
Common Names and Classification
You might see this species referred to by its scientific name Lasallia pensylvanica, or its previous scientific name Umbilicaria pensylvanica. The naval in its common name isn’t a typo—it refers to the distinctive navel-like attachment point at the center of each lichen body.
Native Status and Geographic Distribution
Good news for native plant enthusiasts: Lasallia pensylvanica is indeed native to North America. This hardy lichen has been quietly doing its thing across the continent long before any of our cultivated gardens existed. It’s particularly fond of rocky, mountainous regions in eastern North America.
What Does It Look Like?
Spotting Pennsylvania blistered naval lichen is like finding nature’s own dinner plates scattered across rocks. Here’s what to look for:
- Circular, brownish to gray-brown patches growing flat against rock surfaces
- A distinctive central navel or umbilicus where it attaches to the rock
- Leathery, somewhat brittle texture when dry
- Size ranging from small coins to dinner plate proportions
- Often forms clusters or colonies on suitable rock faces
Is It Beneficial to Your Garden?
Absolutely! While you can’t exactly plant or cultivate lichens like traditional garden plants, having them naturally occur in your landscape is a wonderful sign. Here’s why Pennsylvania blistered naval lichen is actually a garden asset:
- Acts as a natural air quality indicator—lichens are sensitive to pollution, so their presence suggests clean air
- Provides habitat for tiny insects and other microorganisms
- Contributes to the slow process of soil formation by gradually breaking down rock surfaces
- Adds natural texture and visual interest to rock gardens, stone walls, and natural areas
- Requires zero maintenance or resources from you
Where You Might Find It
Don’t go hunting through your flower beds for this one! Pennsylvania blistered naval lichen has very specific housing requirements:
- Rocky surfaces, particularly exposed stone faces
- Areas with good air circulation
- Spots that receive some moisture but aren’t constantly wet
- Natural stone walls, boulders, or rock outcroppings in your landscape
Living in Harmony with Lichens
The best thing about lichens is that they ask for absolutely nothing from you as a gardener. In fact, the kindest thing you can do is simply leave them alone. Avoid pressure washing or scrubbing rocks where lichens are growing, as this can destroy colonies that took decades to establish.
If you’re designing a garden and want to encourage lichen growth, consider incorporating natural stone elements and avoiding heavy use of fertilizers or pesticides in those areas. Lichens prefer the au naturel approach to gardening.
A Sign of Garden Health
Finding Pennsylvania blistered naval lichen in your landscape is like getting a thumbs-up from nature itself. These remarkable organisms serve as living indicators that your outdoor space has good air quality and a healthy ecosystem balance. So the next time you spot those distinctive circular patches on your garden rocks, take a moment to appreciate these quiet, undemanding residents that are working behind the scenes to keep your garden environment healthy.
Remember, you didn’t plant them, you can’t really tend them, but you can certainly celebrate them as part of your garden’s natural biodiversity!
