LOCATE LICHEN

Lichen are fungi that form associations with photosynthetic algae. Highly sensitive to air quality, Lichens were all but eliminated from New York City before federal regulations to curb pollution were enacted in 1970. Today Lichens have recolonized with nearly 100 species spread throughout the five boroughs, acting as bioindicators of improved air quality. You can help document the growing biodiversity of the City (and cleaner environment) by observing Lichens in your neighborhood. Visit the LOCATE LICHEN Project Page

To learn more about the fascinating world of Lichens, join us Monday, January 11, 2021 at 5:00 PM for New York City Lichens, an Urban Experience, by NYBG lichenologist, Dr. James Lendemer. The presentation is free and open to the public. Register Here

Please help improve identification of Lichen observations by following these suggestions.

Substrate
Make note of substrate to the best of your ability. If it's on rock, tell us what type of rock, or show us a clear, detailed picture of that rock's surface. If it's on a tree or shrub, say or show whether it’s on bark or exposed wood.

Size
Note the size of the lichen either in words or by including a pic with a ruler or a common object placed next to the lichen for scale.

Features
Try shooting with your cellphone through a hand lens, and try to record accurately these major visual elements: thallus color and texture; any bumps, wrinkles, folds, lines, circles, cracks, scratches, dots, dust/granule/powder piles, shapes, or other features/anomalies on or of the surfaces or edges of the thallus; the relationship between the lichen and its substrate (ie. clinging tight vs. lifting away.)

According to experts, Flavoparmelia caperata (bottom Lichen in photo) are fairly easy to determine in the wild, but in print and on screens the yellowish-green of the upper cortex may not be obvious. Flavopermelia caperata can look like Myelochroa aurulenta (top Lichen in photo). Click on the image above for more information.

Thank you @mollyopsis, @novapatch, @sadawolk and others for identifying New York City Lichen and for these suggestions to help us all make better observations.