Abrothallus bertianus: The Tiny Lichen You Never Knew Existed in Your Garden
Have you ever taken a close look at the lichens growing in your yard and wondered about the tiny, almost invisible patches living on them? Meet Abrothallus bertianus, a fascinating microscopic lichen that’s probably been quietly existing in your outdoor space without you ever noticing it.
What Exactly Is Abrothallus bertianus?
Abrothallus bertianus is what scientists call a lichenicolous lichen – essentially, it’s a lichen that grows on other lichens. Think of it as nature’s ultimate tiny tenant, setting up shop on the surfaces of larger lichen communities. This native North American species belongs to a specialized group of organisms that have mastered the art of living in some pretty cramped quarters.
Unlike the more obvious crusty or leafy lichens you might spot on tree bark or rocks, Abrothallus bertianus is incredibly small and inconspicuous. You’d need a hand lens or magnifying glass to really appreciate its presence, as it forms minute, barely visible patches on its host lichens.
Where Can You Find This Tiny Marvel?
As a native species to North America, Abrothallus bertianus has been quietly making itself at home across the continent for centuries. It’s most commonly found growing on the surfaces of other lichens that colonize tree bark, particularly in areas with good air quality and appropriate moisture levels.
Is It Beneficial to Have in Your Garden?
While you can’t exactly plant Abrothallus bertianus (more on that in a moment), having it show up naturally in your garden is actually a pretty good sign. Here’s why:
- Air quality indicator: Lichens in general are sensitive to air pollution, so their presence suggests your garden enjoys relatively clean air
- Biodiversity boost: Even tiny lichens like this one contribute to the overall ecological complexity of your outdoor space
- Natural balance: It’s part of the intricate web of relationships that keep lichen communities healthy
How to Identify Abrothallus bertianus
Spotting this little guy requires some detective work and magnification. Here’s what to look for:
- Extremely small, often less than a millimeter across
- Forms tiny, dark spots or patches on host lichens
- Appears as small, rounded structures that may look like tiny bumps
- Most commonly found on crustose (crusty) lichens growing on tree bark
- Requires a magnifying glass or hand lens for proper identification
Can You Grow or Encourage It?
Here’s where things get interesting – you can’t actually plant or cultivate Abrothallus bertianus in the traditional gardening sense. This specialized lichen requires very specific conditions and host lichens to survive, making it impossible to simply introduce to your garden.
However, you can create conditions that might encourage lichen communities (including potential hosts for Abrothallus bertianus) to flourish naturally:
- Minimize air pollution: Avoid using harsh chemicals or creating excessive dust in your garden
- Maintain mature trees: Older trees with established bark provide ideal surfaces for lichen communities
- Be patient: Lichen communities develop slowly over many years
- Avoid over-cleaning: Resist the urge to scrub bark or remove messy lichen growth
The Bottom Line
Abrothallus bertianus might not win any awards for garden showmanship, but it represents the incredible diversity of life that can exist right under our noses. If you’re lucky enough to have lichen communities in your garden, take a moment to appreciate that you might be hosting this tiny, specialized organism.
While you can’t add it to your shopping cart at the garden center, you can certainly appreciate it as part of the complex, interconnected ecosystem that makes your outdoor space truly alive. Sometimes the smallest residents are the most fascinating of all!
