Scholander’s Navel Lichen: A Fascinating Arctic Survivor You’ll Likely Never Garden With
If you’ve ever wondered about the tough little organisms clinging to rocks in the harshest climates on Earth, meet Scholander’s navel lichen (Umbilicaria scholanderi). This remarkable lichen is one of nature’s ultimate survivors, thriving in conditions that would make even the hardiest garden plants throw in the trowel.
What Exactly Is Scholander’s Navel Lichen?
Before we dive in, let’s clear up what we’re dealing with here. Umbilicaria scholanderi isn’t actually a plant at all—it’s a lichen! Lichens are fascinating partnerships between fungi and algae (and sometimes cyanobacteria), working together like the ultimate roommate situation. The fungus provides structure and protection, while the algae whip up food through photosynthesis.
This particular lichen gets its navel name from its unique attachment method. Instead of spreading across surfaces like many lichens, it’s attached to rocks by a single central point—just like a belly button! This creates its distinctive umbrella or cup-like appearance.
Where Does It Call Home?
Scholander’s navel lichen is a true North American native, but don’t expect to spot it in your backyard unless you live in the Arctic or subarctic regions. This cold-loving organism is primarily found in Alaska and northern Canada, where it decorates rocky outcrops and cliff faces in some of the most remote and pristine wilderness areas on the continent.
What Does It Look Like?
Identifying Scholander’s navel lichen is actually pretty straightforward once you know what to look for:
- Circular, disk-like appearance ranging from 2-8 inches across
- Gray to brownish coloration that can appear almost black when wet
- Single central attachment point (the navel)
- Leathery, somewhat wrinkled texture
- Often found growing alongside other rock-loving lichens
Is It Beneficial for Gardens?
Here’s where things get interesting—and a bit disappointing if you were hoping to add this Arctic beauty to your garden. Scholander’s navel lichen simply cannot be cultivated in traditional garden settings. It requires:
- Extremely cold temperatures (thrives in USDA zones 1-3)
- Pristine air quality
- Specific rocky substrates
- Natural freeze-thaw cycles
- Low humidity conditions
Even if you live in an appropriate climate zone, lichens are notoriously difficult to establish artificially. They grow incredibly slowly and have complex environmental requirements that are nearly impossible to replicate in managed landscapes.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Lichen Matters
While you won’t be adding Scholander’s navel lichen to your garden wishlist, it serves crucial roles in its native ecosystems:
- Acts as a natural air quality indicator—its presence signals clean, unpolluted environments
- Helps break down rock surfaces through slow chemical weathering
- Provides food for caribou and other Arctic wildlife during harsh winters
- Contributes to soil formation in harsh alpine and Arctic environments
Appreciating Lichens in Your Own Backyard
Even though you can’t grow Scholander’s navel lichen, you might be surprised by the lichen diversity already existing in your area! Many regions have their own native lichen species that quietly go about their business on tree bark, rocks, and even soil surfaces. Rather than trying to cultivate them, the best approach is to:
- Maintain good air quality around your property
- Avoid using harsh chemicals that might harm existing lichen populations
- Leave some wild areas with natural rocks or old trees where lichens can establish naturally
- Appreciate them as indicators of environmental health
Scholander’s navel lichen may be an Arctic specialist that most of us will only admire in nature documentaries, but it serves as a fascinating reminder of life’s incredible adaptability. While it won’t be gracing your garden beds anytime soon, its very existence enriches our understanding of the remarkable partnerships that thrive in Earth’s most challenging environments.
