Page 59 - MNLGA Free State Summer 2024_WEB

and many shades of green. They
can produce biochemicals that stop
seeds from germinating in their soft
tissues, their taste discourages many
animals from eating them and some
of the biochemicals prevent the
lichens from freezing in the winter.
Over 50 species of birds besides
the Ruby throated hummingbirds
use the fruticose lichens as nesting
material, while the painted lichen
moth caterpillars can only eat lichen.
The shapes and colors of lichens are
also used by many small insects like
the lace winged larva and animals
to blend in or hide from predators.
Lichens that don’t grow on trees can
be found on rocks, and they can over
time break rocks into soil. Before
blaming the lichens for the death of
a plant, celebrate their tenacity to
create a life that provides better air
quality simply by living. A

PHOTOS PAGE 58 LEFT TO RIGHT:
Crustose on top and Foliose lichen on the
bottom
Crustose lichen and Fruticose lichen
Tree with lichen growing on the bark

PHOTOS PAGE 59 TOP TO BOTTOM:
Wild 3 dimension one is fruticose lichen
Lichen growing on the bark

Photo credit: Ginny Rozenkranz

Ginny Rosenkranz
Extension Educator, Commercial
Horticulture, University of Maryland
Extension, Dorchester, Somerset,
Wicomico and Worchester County
410 749-6141 x106
rosnkrnz@umd.edu

Membership Matters • SUMMER 2024 59