There are Lichens Growing on Our Bench! March 12, 2009

When we installed rock gardens on our sliver of front lawn, we added a bench so folks could sit and enjoy the view:

Step closer and look at the wooden slats.

Just this morning I noticed tiny spots of color on the wooden slats, so I looked a little closer:

Two colors of lichen are growing on our bench!

I guess some folks would say I’m way past due to treat that wood. On the other hand, how can I kill something as wonderful as lichens? Especially when I don’t know what kind they are, or what they might be telling me about the quality of our air?

And now that bench is more than furniture — it’s a habitat for living things! (Can you copyright an excuse?)

A Fungus for All Seasons February 26, 2009

I was getting desperate for a bit of color in the Columbus Park woods. Then I found this:

This Turkey Tail Fungus grew on a fallen log in the woods.

OK, the colors are a bit subtle, especially in winter. But I think the pattern’s wonderful!

The circular ones grew on top of the log. The half-circle fungi on the side of the log looked more like Wild Turkey tails, which gave this fungus its name:

The half-circle version grew on the side of the log.

To learn more about Turkey Tail Fungus, go here or go here.