Rimmed Navel Lichen: A Fascinating Natural Garden Visitor
Have you ever noticed crusty, circular patches growing on rocks or bare soil in your yard and wondered what they were? You might be looking at rimmed navel lichen, scientifically known as Rhizoplaca. While you can’t exactly plant these fascinating organisms in your garden, understanding what they are and recognizing their presence can add a whole new dimension to appreciating the natural world right in your backyard.
What Exactly Is Rimmed Navel Lichen?
Let’s clear up any confusion right away – lichens aren’t plants! They’re actually remarkable partnerships between fungi and algae (or sometimes cyanobacteria) working together in perfect harmony. The fungus provides structure and protection, while the algae or bacteria photosynthesize to create food for both partners. It’s like nature’s ultimate roommate situation, and it’s been working successfully for millions of years.
Rimmed navel lichen gets its quirky name from its distinctive appearance. These lichens form circular, crusty patches that look somewhat like tiny navels with raised edges or rims around them. They typically appear grayish-green in color, though this can vary depending on moisture levels and age.
Where You’ll Find Them
Rhizoplaca species are native to North America and can be found across various regions of the continent. They’re particularly common in drier climates and are often spotted growing on:
- Rocky surfaces and boulders
- Bare soil in open areas
- Sometimes on tree bark
- Desert and semi-arid landscapes
Are They Good for Your Garden?
While you can’t cultivate rimmed navel lichen like you would a flower or shrub, their presence in your landscape is actually a positive sign! Lichens are excellent indicators of air quality – they’re quite sensitive to pollution, so seeing them means your local air is relatively clean. Think of them as nature’s air quality monitors.
These lichens also play important ecological roles:
- They help break down rocks over time, contributing to soil formation
- They provide habitat for tiny insects and other small creatures
- They can help prevent soil erosion on bare ground
- They add visual interest and natural texture to rock gardens and natural landscapes
How to Identify Rimmed Navel Lichen
Spotting rimmed navel lichen is easier once you know what to look for:
- Shape: Circular or oval patches, often looking like crusty medallions
- Edges: Distinctive raised rims around the perimeter
- Color: Usually grayish-green, but can appear more gray when dry or greener when moist
- Texture: Crusty and somewhat brittle when dry
- Size: Individual patches typically range from less than an inch to several inches across
- Location: Most commonly found on rocks and hard surfaces in open, sunny areas
Living Alongside Lichens
The best way to care for lichens in your landscape is simply to leave them alone. They don’t need water, fertilizer, or any maintenance – in fact, they prefer to be left undisturbed. If you’re doing landscape work around areas where you’ve noticed lichens:
- Avoid using chemicals or fertilizers nearby, as lichens are sensitive to these
- Try not to disturb the surfaces they’re growing on
- Appreciate them as indicators of a healthy environment
- Use their presence to create more naturalistic landscape designs
The Bottom Line
While rimmed navel lichen won’t be the showstopper in your flower bed, recognizing and appreciating these remarkable organisms can deepen your connection to the natural processes happening right in your own yard. They’re living proof that some of nature’s most interesting partnerships happen on the smallest scales, and their presence indicates that you’re maintaining a healthy, chemical-free environment that supports diverse life forms.
So next time you’re wandering around your property, take a closer look at those crusty patches on rocks and soil – you might just be admiring one of nature’s most successful collaborations!
