Walk almost anywhere and you’ll pass lichen species in seconds

After a talk on Seil, those who were there will be seeing lichens everywhere – but they won’t be hallucinating.

The Seil Natural History Group hosted a talk in Ellenabeich on 8th December by expert lichenologists, Andy Acton and Anna Griffith – which was something of an eye-opener.

Scotland has 1,600 species of lichen and of these, 500 species are found in Atlantic woodlands.

You can go for a walk almost anywhere and be likely to pass one or more lichens within seconds.

They grow on an enormous variety of substrates including the sea shore, graveyards, walls, trees and on underwater surfaces. And they’ll grow on unexpected hosts – even on rubber, glass, roadsigns, mining spoil heaps and bones.

Lichens are a combination of algae and fungus, come in many shapes and sizes, and have colours from all parts of the spectrum.  Growth rates are imperceptibly slow – ‘watching paint dry’ comes to mind. Dog Lichen grows at a rate of 25 to 27 millimetres a year and is one of the fastest whereas the Map Lichen grows at a meagre 1mm yearly.

The oldest known lichen is estimated to be 9,000 years old.

The Isle of Seil Natural History Group holds monthly talks on a wide variety of natural history topics and organises monthly field trips and mid-week walks. Anyone is welcome to come.

The aim of the already 105-strong group is to enjoy, study, conserve and promote awareness of natural history. Anyone interested in joining it should emai Richard Wesley -  richardwesley@btinternet.com – for details.