Arriving in the Pacific Northwest, I suddenly felt as though I was wearing verdant-colored glasses. Green bounded and leaped and floated through the landscape, draping the bare rock and saturated, black soil with a blanket of lush lime. My first impression of the Pacific Northwest was sopping with emerald.

As I stood in the middle of this seemingly Jurassic forest, I followed light green arrows of life up a giant Douglas Fir tree, finding myself mesmerized by the hair-like projections dangling pendant from the trees like jewelry of the forest. The comfort of green blowing carelessly in the wind wrapped around me like an old, loose T-shirt. I reached out to bring texture to these mysterious objects. Coarse, stringy, strong, yet vulnerable, this organism separated from the mighty Fir with a soft tug. Holding it delicately in my hands, the object, drenched in Washington’s most abundant resource, suddenly came to signify this place for me. Immediately, my heart knew that this was my home and that these objects would soon become a part of me. My heart already understood all of this so well, but my mind was yet to truly comprehend. At this point, these green chandeliers were simply new, unfamiliar characters in the story of my life thus far. In that moment, I considered how much my life had changed within the last month—from unforgiving sub-Saharan sand concealing massive thorns that prick you with each step to rich, deep, black soil and mysterious, green lichen.

The transition was a dream, starting in a world so foreign and exotic and moving to a new destination with secrets and mysteries all its own. In Senegal, the sun’s powerful rays singed my skin long after I took comfort underneath the fragrant Neem tree. While in Washington, I found myself constantly beneath ominous clouds, completely blocking the sun’s touch from my desperate reach. The rain we craved from our pores in the motherland to feed our animals, to wash away the clinging sand, poured from the sky in buckets in the Pacific Northwest. Life in Washington popped up with little effort, easily maturing in the dark, fertile soil, while Senegalese bargain and plead and manipulate the soil in efforts for one tomato seedling to show itself under the beating sun, most likely to be overcome by the elements in the end. What we lacked in Senegal came in copious amounts in my new home.

So what did this mean for my story, living with my heart in two dichotomous worlds? How could I rectify a foot in each door without moving too far in one direction or the other?

After a summer of grappling, my solution was to take hold of life in Washington. I came to view the consuming cloud cover, bucketing rain, cool temperatures, and overall ease of life from the perspective of the Senegalese, from the eyes of those who take rain as a blessing from God and green as a precious miracle and a sign of life for all. I came to appreciate everything and latched onto my new jade palace, the embodiment of all that this land has to offer. I found myself firmly gripping these mysterious objects that entranced me upon arrival in Washington. The name lichen dripped off my lips like the excess dew slipping from these hair-like creatures onto my open palms. Like rain soaking into the forest floor, I too became a sponge for this place and quickly versed myself in the language of forest. I learned the names of the trees, how to identify signs of natural events, the way the moss tends to grow on trees, the overwhelming importance of death and decay, and especially the symbol of Washington for me, lichen.

I quickly found a book devoted to the biological secrets of lichens. Small and compact, this guidebook became my bible, my source of knowledge, my link to the Pacific Northwest. I had so much to learn with an overwhelming thirst for knowledge. And with that I began to study…

What is a Lichen?

In its most rudimentary form, a lichen is a composite organism, a mini-ecosystem, consisting of two or more main components. Fundamentally, these components are a fungal partner also called a mycobiont and a photosynthetic symbiont also known as a photobiont (Walewski 2007). Depending on the lichen species, the photobiont is either an algae of the Protista kingdom or cyanobacteria of the Monera kingdom (Honegger 2000).

To complicate matters even more, certain species of lichen contain an additional photobiont, most commonly cyanobacteria. In this role, the cyanobacteria becomes secondary to the primary photobiont, typically algae, losing their photosynthetic properties. The cyanobacteria becomes solely a nitrogen fixer, changing atmospheric nitrogen to ammonium, isolated in the surface of the lichen vegetative structures in pea-shaped galls called cepholdia (Vitt 1988).

Beyond composition, lichens have been an extremely successful species, found from the poles to the tropics, from intertidal zones to mountain peaks (Brodo 2001). They have even been discovered growing on the backs of living insects (Walewski 2007). Worldwide, there are 14,000 species of lichens, serving as the dominant vegetation on 8% of the earth’s terrestrial surface (McCure 2010). Zooming in, 3,600 known lichens inhabit North America, and over 1,000 lichen species have been found in just the Pacific Northwest (McCure 2010).

Lichen Components

Mycobiont

The dominant partner in the relationship is the mycobiont or the fungus. Fungus lack chlorophyll and are built from microscopic threads called hyphae (Walewski 2007). For the most part, lichen fungus belong to the Ascomycetes phylum, also known as the sac fungus (Brodo 2001). Of the 30,000 species of ascomyceytes, half of these fungi can lichenize.

Photobiont

The primary lichen photosynthetic partner is green algae. In the Pacific Northwest, the Trebouxia species of green algae is the photobiont in 60% of lichens. For the rest of the photobionts, 15% are cyanobacteria in the Nostoc and Scytonema genera (McCure 2010). There are also a few species of golden alga and a brown algae that can become lichenized photobionts (Brodo 2001). Most of these photobionts are significantly altered in their lichenized state and become almost unrecognizable from their free-living counterparts.

Lichen Relationship

Although often ascribed as maintaining a symbiotic relationship, the lichen partnership is more complex than once assumed. Depending on the lichen species, this “symbiosis” can range from mutually beneficial to highly parasitic (Brodo 2001). In order to recognize the correct photobiont, the lichen fungus envelops the potential photobiont partner with tiny branches of its hyphae. The hyphae presses tightly against the cell wall of the photobiont and can ensure compatibility between partners by the proteins or lectins in the photobiont’s cell wall. Once the relationship is confirmed, short pegs called haustoria penetrate the cell wall of the photobiont (Walewski 2007). The walls of the photobiont’s cells become permeable to the carbohydrates it produces. Much of the sugars leaks out of the photobiont’s cell wall and are absorbed by the fungus (McCure 2010). Technically, the mycobiont is invading and destroying the photosynthetic partner. However, the photobiont cells can reproduce faster than they are destroyed. Thus, they are able to survive. This has been referred to as controlled parasitism of the photobiont by the lichenized fungus (Honegger 2000).

Lichenologist Trevor Goward may have put it best as he described this interesting relationship as “fungi that have discovered agriculture” (Goward 1994).

However, despite the seemingly one-sided relationship, the photobiont also greatly benefits from this relationship. The fungus provides the photobiont with habitat, protection within its tissues, a steadier supply of moisture, shield from excess light, as well as increased surface area for the algae or cyanobacteria to photosynthesize (Walewski 2007).

Growth Forms

There are three primary growth forms that help us to classify lichens: crustose, fruticose, and foliose (Goward 1999). Crustose lichens grow flush to the substrate. Often growing on the bark of trees or bare rock, they cannot be removed from their substrate in one piece. Their vegetative body may be rough, bumpy, or powdery, depending on the species. Crustose species are the slowest growing lichen growth forms with a radial growth of .5-2mm annually (Brodo 2001). Foliose lichens have a flattened vegetative structure with easily distinguishable upper and lower surfaces. These types of lichen typically grow on rocks (Goward 1994). Fruticose lichens grow erect from their substrate. They tend to be found in growing on trees, and if examined show no visible difference between the upper and lower surface. Fruticose lichen are the fastest growing of the lichen growth forms with a 1.5 to 10mm annual growth (McCure 2010).

Outside of these classifications, there are a few intermediary forms. The most common is squamulose, a combination of crustose and foliose lichen, as seen in Cladonia species (Goward 1994).

Lichen Evolution

The diversity and variation of lichen species can be explained by the evolutionary history of this composite organism. Lichens are not considered a taxonomic unit of their own. Instead, they are classified based on their mycobiont partner and all belong to the Kingdom Fungus. This is due to the fact that all lichens have evolved independently from one another through convergent evolution (Vitt 1988). Thus, they are not related evolutionarily. The link between lichen is nutrition, not ancestry.

Parts of the Lichen Vegetative Structure

The vegetative structure of the lichen is called the thallus. Although highly variable, the most basic makeup of the thallus consists of the cortex, the photobiont layer, and the medulla (Brodo 2001). It is perhaps simplest to consider an example lichen thallus of one growth form and discuss deviations from this type. For foliose lichen, the uppermost layer is called the upper cortex. This upper cortex consists of thick, densely-packed fungal cells and provides the lichen components with protection from the outside environment, especially radiation for the super-sensitive green algae (McCure 2010). Below the upper cortex is the photobiont layer, also known as the algal layer. This layer contains both cells of the photobiont as well as a dense network of fungal hyphae. The medulla is located below the photobiont layer, making up the bulk of the lichen thallus. It consists of loose, white fungal hyphae with plenty of air pockets around the cells. Underneath the medulla is the lower cortex. The lower cortex of foliose lichen connects the lichen to its substrate (Walewski 2007). Thus, it contains attachments or anchors such as hair-like rhizines, short, dense tomentum, or a single cord called an umbilicate. While this structure is typical of foliose lichen, there is much variation in fruticose and crustose lichen. For fruticose lichen, there is simply an outer cortex that surrounds the photobiont and medulla layers, while crustose lichens lacks a lower cortex and simple attach to their substrate directly through the medulla layer (Brodo 2001).

Lichen Reproduction

It is perhaps unsurprising that as with everything and lichens, reproduction strategies of lichens are extremely complex. Lichens can reproduce both sexually and asexually, often within the same organism.

Asexual Reproduction

Asexual reproduction occurs in one of two ways for lichens, through fragmentation or by producing vegetative propagates (Brodo 2001). Fragmentation occurs with pendent, epiphytic lichens when the thallus is broken into pieces either by human or natural forces. These parts can develop into mature, fully-functional clones of the original organisms (Vitt 1988). Lichens can also reproduce asexually though propagates containing the fungus and the primary photobiont, which are dispersed into the air or water to create new composite organisms. These propagates occur in two forms: Isidia or Soredia. Soredia are algal cells wrapped in threads of fungal filament that are released through a break in the cortex. They appear on the thallus as flour-like patches on the surface. Similarly, Isidia are tiny, stratified structures that contain the photobiont and mycobiont, as well as a cortex. They give the upper cortex a smooth, somewhat shiny appearance (Walewski 2007).

Sexual Reproduction

Unlike asexual reproduction, lichen sexual reproductive strategies do not include all composite parts of the lichen. Instead, sexual reproduction is an act of the lichenized fungus only. Thus, when dispersed, the fungal spores must find or sometimes steal a photobiont partner. The most common sexual strategy for lichen fungus is the apothecia, which appears as a disk or cup-shaped fruiting structures with an exposed spore-producing layer on the upper surface. The structure acts as a gun under pressure and releases ascospores into the atmosphere when maturity is reached. Perithecias are flask-shaped sexual structures that enclose a spore-producing layer with a pore at the top of the upper cortex (Brodo 2001).

Lichen as a Pioneer Species

Lichen have been labeled ‘nature’s pioneers’ as they can grow in all the spots of the natural world that are too harsh or limiting for other organisms. Lichen can colonize bare rock, desert sand, cleared soil, dead wood, animal bones, rusty metal, live bark, and even living creatures (McCure 2010). The lichen partnership endures in areas where neither component could survive alone.

Lichens are the perfect pioneers for a variety of reasons. They able to shut down metabolically during periods of unfavorable conditions, referred to as cryptobiosis. Thus, lichens can survive extreme periods of heat, cold, and drought. They are also extremely self-sufficient as they acquire all the nutrients and minerals they need from ambient water vapor and dust particles. Lichens contain their own supplier of carbohydrates with the photobiont component, as well as frequently containing nitrogen fixers with cyanobacteria, which contributes to soil fertility (Brodo 2001). In old growth forests in the Pacific Northwest, lichen with cyanobacteria contribute to about 50% of all nitrogen input (Brodo 2001). Finally, the sexual and asexual propagates are so small that they can be established on all but the smoothest of surfaces. Some crustose lichen are even endolithic, meaning their hyphae filaments grow into the rocks, breaking them down, while also producing acids further contribute to soil formation (Goward 1994).

Lichen Chemistry

Because of the special relationship between mycobiont and photobiont, lichens produce over 600 secondary compounds, almost all unique to lichens. Many of these compounds serve as light screens for sensitive algae or foul-tasting deterrents to invertebrates. Others acts to repel water, provide air spaces needed for photosynthesis, or contain allopathic properties. These compounds have also played a significant role in human use of lichens over our cultural history (Brodo 2001).

I was beginning to grasp all facets of lichen biology. I could categorize lichen species based on minute differences in their structural components only seen under a microscope. I could identify sexual and asexual reproductive strategies on lichen thalli with a mere glance. I studied lichens of all shapes and sizes, quickly discovering that lichens went far beyond the green species dangling from trees that I now knew as fruticose lichen. Soon, I had surpassed the secrets hidden in my small guidebook and was quickly craving more, demanding to fully understand this place through lichens. I suddenly shifted my focus to the historical aspects of lichen life. I knew these composite organisms had a much more complicated past with humans than my ephemeral experience with them. I needed to understand how others viewed these magical organisms in the past, how lichens were utilized in society, and how lichens have been impacted by humans like me…

So I searched for a more extensive guidebook. I hoped 828 pages might satiate my craving.

Lichen and People

Humans have used lichen for thousands of years as food and decorations, as well as a source of fiber, medicine, poison, and dye. More recently lichens have been utilized in the manufacturing of perfumes and antibiotics, as well as pollution monitors and indicators of the effects of urbanization (Brodo 2001).

Lichen as Indicator Species

Lichens are important for humans as an indication of air quality. They serve as the proverbial canary in the mineshaft. The delicate balance of the lichen relationship creates an environmental sensitivity in which only one part of the composite organism has to be affected to harm the whole. Air pollution causes the photobiont to redirect metabolic energy utilized for photosynthetic activity to, instead, repair cellular structures. Thus, the mycobiont receives limited metabolic energy, which throws off the balance between the composite parts, leading to a breakdown of the entire organism (Brodo 2001). Beyond the sensitive balance of the lichen components, lichens lack structures that help to block or compartmentalize pollutants. They obtain nutrients and minerals directly from the water vapor and dust particles in the atmosphere with no roots, guard cells, or specialized protective tissues. Thus, if pollutants are in the air and the lichen thallus in moist, they will be absorbed by the lichen and incorporated into the organism (Walewski 2007).

Thus, human activity has had an enormous impact on the lichen population and presence of specific lichen species. While humans have undoubtedly created new niches for lichen colonization, the overall human impact is overwhelmingly negative. Urbanization and loss of old growth forests have reduced lichen population significantly (McCure 2010).

While affecting all lichens, lichen species have varying degrees of tolerance to pollutants. Fruticose species are the most sensitive to pollutants, while crustose tend to be hardier (Brodo 2001). With a solid understanding of lichens and their relationship to pollutants, humans have been able to utilize these characteristics in pollution-monitoring programs and land surveys in the U.S. and abroad (McCure 2010).

Lichen as Food

Numerous cultures have incorporated lichens into their diet, often as a famine food, but occasionally as a staple or even a delicacy. The main issue with lichen consumption is the extremely limited nutritional value to humans. Lichen are comprised mainly of polysaccharides that are indigestible to humans. However, many human cultures have discovered preparation techniques to overcome these problems (Vitt 1988).

Unlike humans, ungulates with their rumen and bacterial flora are able to break down lichen carbs, allowing caribou and deer to rely on lichen for 90% of their winter diet (McCure 2010). Thus, humans consume partially digested lichen, usually reindeer lichen species, from caribou kills. A few Native American groups even added raw fish eggs, creating what they called stomach ice cream. Horsehair lichen was eaten by native people from Washington, Idaho, and Montana, but was a favorite among Interior Salish. They would bake the lichen in pits over leaves, adding wild onions, blue camas blubs, and saskatoon berries, which was cooked into a black gelatinous mass (Brodo 2001).

Lichen as Clothing

Lichens were utilized as clothing fibers despite the fact that the products were not extremely durable or comfortable. However, lichens were readily available and, thus, were often still used as a fabric source, especially when animal skins were not assessable. Hair lichens were found to be insulating and were often used by the Thompson Indians. Woven together with cedar or silverberry bark fiber, the lichens fibers were used to make vests, leggings, and even moccasins (Walewski 2007).

Lichen as Medicines

In the 14th century, it was believed that plants reminiscent of a part of the body or a symptom of disease are a sign that the plant is useful in treating afflictions of that part of the body or that condition. This was true with lichens as well. Dog lichen whose apothecia resembled dogs’ teeth was thought be a cure for rabies. Beard lichen was used to strengthen hair. Golden shield lichen, bright orange in color, was rumored to treat jaundice. None of these remedies worked, except for Lungwort. Lungwort was thought to resemble lung tissue, and as it turned out, some of secondary compounds produced in the lichen were found to be effective against the tuberculosis bacteria (Brodo 2001).

It was not until the 1940s that lichens were screened for specific medicinal uses. Now, it has been determined that over 50% of all lichen species have antibiotic properties of some sort. Additionally, many lichen compounds have been found effective in curing boils, scarlet fever, and pneumonia (Brodo 2001). Currently, research is being done to discover even more pharmaceutical uses of lichens, especially in Japan. Early research has shown antitumor activity and the inhabitation of HIV growth (McCure 2010).

Lichen Dye History

One of the most common usage of lichen by humans was to create dyes. Humans have been prominently employing lichens to dye fabrics since the 3rd century A.D. In 400 AD, the most predominant dye source was Murex, which creates a highly-desirable deep purple color (Casselman 2001). Murex is extracted from the hypobranchial gland of a marine mollusks, which when oxidizes turns from yellow to a prized purple hue. Eventually, the mollusks were overharvested, giving rise to lichens as the primary dye source of the day (Allen 2013). The Rock Tripe genera was extremely popular in Italy during the time of the Crusades, but then followed its own boom and bust cycle due to depletion and regeneration of the lichen population (Casselman 1994).

North America also has a long tradition of lichen dye use. Wolf lichen was the most widely used lichen dye for native peoples in North America. They processed the lichen utilizing the boil water method. Many groups dyed their prized dancing blankets using Wolf lichen. Lichen became an important commodity, especially as a trading commodity (Hodge 2006) (Druding 1982).

Lichen dyeing was popular until the early 19th century when it was replaced by synthetic dyes (Perkins 1986). Lichen as a dye source has almost entirely fallen out of favor, which may be beneficial for the lichen population. However, lichen dyes are still utilized in a few specific arenas today. Litmus, a pH indicator dye, is extracted from Roccella lichen species, and Orcein lichens are used as a stain in microscopy, as well as a food dye (Brodo 2001).

I quickly discovered I was neither the first nor the last to become completely transfixed by lichens. Humans have had a long and complicated history with lichens. Throughout my research, I kept returning to one of the most common usage of lichens in human history — lichen dyes. For over 2,000 years, lichens have been manipulated, boiled, and “fermented” using various chemicals to create bright, exotic colors that were coveted by people far and wide. It was time to relinquish my now enormous collection of lichen literature and dive head first into a lichen investigation. It was time to create lichen dyes.

Preparing a Lichen Dye Bath

There are two basic methods to create lichen dyes: the boil water method (BWM) and the ammonia method (AM). The ammonium method requires a source of ammonium which was readily found in human urine. During the industrial revolution, urban poor would sell their urine to dye factories (Lepp 2011). AM dyeing stains fibers deep purple and red, while BWM typically create more earthy tones.

The most sophisticated and productive procedure for the water boil method of lichen dyes today is the triple extraction method. The process involves cutting the lichen into small pieces, covering two cups of cut lichen with water, and letting the lichen soak for 24-36 hours. Next, the lichen/water mixture should be brought to a boil and left for 30 minutes. Afterwards, the mixture should simmer for additional hour. Once these steps are complete, drain the mixture, leaving the water as the first phase of the dye bath. Cold water should be added to the lichen remnants, and the process is repeated two more times. Once the dye bath is finished, the liquid should be reheated in its entirety just under the boiling point. Add the fiber to the dye bath and let simmer for 2 to 3 hours (Casselman 1994) (Casselman 2001).

The ammonia method is less complicated, but more time consuming. The process involves a chemical putrefaction in which lichen particles, ammonia, and water are aged in a vat for multiple weeks in order to create conditions for forced decomposition. Like the boil water method, two cups of lichen particles are soaked for 24-36 hours. The soaked lichen is combined with three cups of ammonia and three cups of water, and the entire mixture can placed in a sealed container where it must steep for three to sixteen weeks. During this time, one must shake the mixture three to five times a day to allow for aeration. Once the dye is ready for use, the fiber can be added to the dye bath and soaked for 36 hours to allow for full color extraction (Casselman 2001). For both methods, a mordant, dye fixer, is unnecessary due to the secondary compounds found in most lichen species (Allen 2013).

Throughout the course of my personal lichen experimentations, I created six boil water method dye baths and three utilizing the ammonia method. I finally felt I had a complete view of lichens. I understood what lichens were, how they worked, the forms they took, how they affected their landscape, how the landscape affected them, and now their relationships with humans.

The formerly well-kept secrets of the forests were no longer enigmatic to me. However, instead of feeling a loss of mystery and intrigue, each bit of knowledge acquired contributed to my overall understanding of the Pacific Northwest and aided in my transition to finally calling this place my home. My firm connection to this area has constantly inspired me to expand my knowledge and discover even more about this place. Now, I am eager to take on new topics of interest, to build my connection again through education, and to learn to love this place even more.

So what’s next on the list for me, you ask?

Perhaps another jewel of the forest —- moss?

or maybe mico-heterotrophs —- They have always caught my eye.

Or better yet, glaciation.

I could study snow ecology

or forest succession

or carnivores

or corvids

What about macroinvertebrates?

How about wildflowers?

or ferns

Maybe decay

or fire ecology

or marmots and pikas or

…..

Lichens and Ethnolichenology

Bibliography

Allen, Alissa. “Mycopigments.” Mycopigments. N.p., 23 Feb. 2013. Web. 15 June 2013. <http://mycopigments.com/lichen-dyes/>.

Brodo, I. M., S. D. Sharnoff, & S. Sharnoff. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press, New Haven and London.

Casselman, Karen Leigh. Lichen Dyes: The New Source Book. Mineola, NY: Dover, 2001. Print.

Casselman, Karen L. “Lichen Dyes: Preparation and Dyeing.” Maine Naturalist 2.2 (1994): 105-10. JSTOR. Web. June-July 2013. <http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/3858253?uid=372853921&uid=2&uid=3&uid=60&sid=21102531371627>.

Druding, Susan C. “History of Dyes from 2600 BC to 20th Century.” Lecture. Convergence 1982. Seattle. 1982. History of Dyes from 2600 BC to 20th Century. Web. 20 June 2013. <http://www.straw.com/sig/dyehist.html>.

Goward, T. 1999. The Lichens of British Columbia. Illustrated Keys. Part 2, Fruticose Species.

Goward, T., B. McCune, and D. Meidinger. 1994. The Lichens of British Columbia. Part 1. Foliose and Squamulose Species. British Columbia Ministry of Forests. Crown Publications Inc., Victoria, B.C.

Hodge, Kathie T. “Cornell Mushroom Blog.” Dyeing with Lichens & Mushrooms. Cornell University, 12 Dec. 2006. Web. 10 June 2013. <http://blog.mycology.cornell.edu/2006/12/12/dyeing-with-lichens-mushrooms/>.

Honegger R. (2000). “Simon Schwender (1829–1919) and the dual hypothesis in lichens”.

Lepp, Heino. “Dyeing.” Lichens and People. Australian Lichens, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 14 June 2013. <http://www.anbg.gov.au/lichen/lichens-people-dyeing.html>.

McCune, B. and L. Geiser. 1997. Macrolichens of the Pacific Northwest. Oregon State University Press.

McCune, B. 2010. Keys to the Lichen Genera of the Pacific Northwest. 94 pp. August 2012.

McCune, B. and T. Goward. 1995. Macrolichens of the Northern Rocky Mountains. Mad River Press, Arcata, California.

McCune, B. and R. Rosentreter. 2007. Biotic Soil Crust Lichens of the Columbia Basin. Monographs in North American Lichenology.

Noble, W. J. 1982. The Lichens of the Coastal Douglas-Fir Dry Subzone. PhD Thesis, Univ. British Columbia.

Perkins, P. 1986. Ecology, beauty, profits: Trade in lichen-based dyestuffs through Western history. Journal of the Society of Dyers and Colourists 102:221-227.

Rosentreter, R., M. Bowker and J. Belnap. 2008. A Field Guide to Biological Soil Crusts of Western U.S. Drylands. U.S. Government Printing Office, Denver, Colorado.

Vitt, Dale Hadley., Janet E. Marsh, and Robin E. Bovey. Mosses, Lichens [and] Ferns of Northwest North America: A Photographic Field Guide. Edmonton: Lone Pine, 1988. Print.

Walewski, Joe. Lichens of the North Woods. Duluth, MN: Kollath+Stensaas Pub., 2007. Print.

Lichen and Ethnolichenology

The Real Story of Freddy Fungus

By Kimberly Hall

Long ago there was a fungus named Freddy. Now, Freddy Fungus was renowned architect and engineer. He designed a beautiful home and built it with his bare hands. When his house was complete, he looked around at his empty abode as his empty stomach growled and thought that something was missing. Freddy knew he had some flaws. He could not cook, and he always had to rely on others for his food. Although this upset Freddy, he felt that he should go outside in search of something to eat.

As he was walking around, he smelled something delicious. He noticed the beautiful Alice Algae bathing in the sun with a four-course meal sitting next to her. Alice heard Freddy approach and offered him some food. “I always make more than I can eat. Join me!” she exclaimed. They sat and talked and ate for a while and soon Freddy discovered that Alice was homeless. She was a fantastic cook. She appeared to concoct delicious meals from nothing by thin air, but had no place to protect herself from the elements, especially the sun. Alice hated the sun more than anything. Freddy thought for a moment and came up with a brilliant idea. He would invite her to live with him in his newly built home. He proposed a partnership. Freddy would take care of the house, make sure Alice was protected from the elements, and would provide all the ingredients that Alice needed to cook her delicious meals. All Alice had to do was cook for him. Alice look up at the strong Freddy Fungus and realized she had already taken a lichen to him. She quickly agreed and the pair went home together hand in hand.

A few days later, Alice heard something outside of her new home and opened the door to find Cybil the cyanobacteria wagging her flagella on the front porch. Cybil was so cute and seemed so loyal that Alice decided to keep her. Freddie thought this was a great idea too because they were having issues growing things in their yard because of the poor, sandy soil. Cybil’s waste products would help to fertilize the yard!

Alice, Freddy, and Cybil lived happily for many years, but soon their marriage took a dark turn. Freddy became very possessive of Alice. He was quite controlling and demanded that Alice cook all the time, even at night. Alice felt trapped and she didn’t feel she could be herself, but couldn’t leave. She had nowhere else to go.

Alice suggested that they attend couples counseling as they both knew their marriage was on the rocks. After many grueling sessions, they decided they could stick it out. They truly felt they were better together than they were apart.

Lichens and Ethnolichenology

The Lichen Rap

By Kimberly Hall

Chorus:

You lichen it. I’m lovin it.

You lichen it. I’m lovin it.

You lichen it. I’m lovin it.

Now you know what to do when you hear the name.

Verse 1:

So what is a lichen you askin me

Its much too complex Aint no cup of tea.

Lichens are a community with up to three parts

Fungus and algae —- that’s just where it starts

Bacteria also have a place inside

Nitrogen fixers along for the ride

Showing up in the spots no one wants to be

Lichen setting up for new growth eventually

They grow on soil, rocks, or trees

Life is good for the lichen, flowing in the breeze

Chorus

Verse 2: Lichen grow kinda slow

But they can stop and go

Cytopbiosis means that they can stop that flow

Dessication aint a thang, ya hear

It takes a lot more than that for them to disappear

But humans on the scene been shaking things up

Lichen can’t handle pollutants. Now you know what’s up.

They can’t last long in an urban center.

So before you drive your car, can you reconsider?

Lichen need love too, so respect the game

Now you know what to do when you hear me exclaim

Chorus