Lichens are a fascinating part of all our garden spaces, here you will find a basic introduction to these prehistoric life forms.

Introduction to Lichens

If I were to tell you that a body far more advanced and complex than our own, formed with no less than two species and continuing to breed at the ripe old age of 400 million years, had been discovered swarming in it’s millions right here on earth, I should imagine you may become intrigued if not alarmed. Indeed, it would appear that the closest thing to alien existence that the public have ever heard of has at last come to light. However, should I then tell you that this alien race was in fact made up of the different types of lichen which exist in their millions here on earth, that excitement would undoubtedly be extinguished. This truth is what privileges me to enlighten you in the fascinating subject of lichen and the extraordinary ways in which it has been used.

Lichen field, photo: Kerry Woods

What is Lichen?

The subject of lichen is not renowned for being the most fascinating or stimulating topic of interest; in fact, lichen is not well known at all. Commonly confused with moss or fungus, lichen is an organism that is more often than not completely ignored by society. A lichen is a unique and specific structure, formed primarily by a mycobiont (fungus) and a photobiont (alga or cyanobacterium) and is admired as the one of the most efficient colonisers on the planet. As lichens are able to survive in harrowing environments, for example the sub zero conditions of mountain ranges, they have proven to be some of the most tolerant, advanced and important structures in existence. And with an estimation of more than 25,000 different species of lichen, it is unquestionable that we will all encounter a lichen species at some stage during our every day activities - and yet they remain unnoticed. Easily overlooked, the most fascinating qualities of lichen have not been brought to the public’s eye, despite the fact that 8% of the world today is covered in lichen. Nonetheless, scientists have investigated the organism, and as a consequence lichen has been discovered to be an invaluable tool to our world’s industry.

Reindeer lichen (Cladonia rangiferina)

Lichen in industry.

The variety of different uses of lichen are astonishing; ecologists in Europe rely on lichen as a reliable source to determine the levels of air quality and pollution - lichens are extremely sensitive to man-made gases and pollutants, therefore providing a good measure of how contaminated an area may be. Furthermore, in Japan it is not uncommon to find lichen on the dinner menu: the lichen species Umbilicaria esculenta is frequently used in soups and salads. Remarkably, lichen is predominantly a carbohydrate and yet is 0% in fat. Equally partial to this unusual diet, reindeer will often be found feeding on Cladonia rangiferina (shown above), which is found primarily in areas of alpine tundra. Indeed, deer in general are unique in that they contain a specific enzyme known as ‘lichenase’ which enables them to digest lichen effectively. The benefits of lichen stretch as far as the fashion industry; ‘Roccella’ is a dye used to create blue and red fabrics and is formed by numerous lichen species (most likely Xanthoria and Cladonia), it is estimated that 9,000 tonnes of lichen (largely from Evernia prunastri and Pseusdevernia furfuacea) are used in the perfume commerce alone.

Perhaps one of most extreme and expensive lichen experiments to take place was in 2005 as a part of a space investigation. That year the European Space Agency embarked on a mission to test the versatility of lichen in the space environment. The test formed part of an investigation of the panspermia theory (the transferring of a species to another planet). Previously, certain forms of bacteria had proven to be too weak to stand the extreme conditions of space; however, it was suggested that certain species of lichen (Rhizocarpon georgraphicum and Xanthoria elegans) would be more successful. Therefore on the 31^st of May a Russian Soyuz rocket transported the two species into space, where scientists subjected them to photon 2 emissions, high UV ray exposure and extreme cosmic radiation- all of which the species endured successfully and suffered no changes. The break-through gave an enormous boost to the panspermia theory, and encouraged the idea that scientists one day would be able to transport living organisms to Mars. 

Maritime sunburst lichen (Xanthoria parietina), found in coastal areas

Further Reading

·        Lichen Reproduction

·        Air Pollution Indicators

·        Lichen in Space

·        Dyeing with Lichen

·        Obama’s Lichen

·        The Virginia Lichen Project

Lichen in medicine & further research

Due to their adaptability, lichens have been discovered and utilised on almost every continent, with many cultures finding their own use for the organisms. The relationship between lichen and human has its own branch of research known as ethnolichenology, further reiterating its importance in our environment. As a medicine, lichen is most useful when certain elements, known as secondary compounds, are extracted from the species and exploited as a particular treatment. This is commonly in the form compounds such as usnic acid, an antibiotic compound found in many lichen species - approximately half of all lichens contain this compound and/or other antibiotic properties. Other secondary compounds include bacteria killing toxins and pigments which can help reduce the effects of harmful exposure to sunlight. Lichens are commonly mistaken as the causes of Lichen sclerosus, though the skin condition is thought to be due to an overactive immune system and unrelated to lichens themselves.

The field of lichenometry has given scientists valuable tools when researching into the age of geological entities.  It is estimated that lichen can be preserved for up to 10,000 years and due to our understanding of its growth, one can extract information about the body it is using to grow on. A variety of methods allow us to determine the ages of rocks, changes in water levels, glacial deposits, rock falls and more.

In sum therefore, the utility, flexibility and commercial wealth of the seemingly lowly lichen should not be under estimated.  Whilst its uses and benefits do not enjoy widespread exposure, the remarkable existence of such an unusual life form should be neither over-looked nor marginalised.  From essential nutrition, to ground breaking scientific expansion, lichen is responsible for an extremely diverse number of modern day developments.

The Feminisation of The Garden Shed

The image off the garden shed as a sanctuary for men may no longer be an accurate representation of its role in modern home life. Until recently, the general consensus was that a shed is a testosterone fuelled environment, a place where men can escape to without distractions. Consumer trends show that the days when men were free to retreat to the garden shed and potter about as they pleased are numbered. No more will beer cans and cigars be found in abundance at the back of the garden hut. No more will a shed be an exclusive zone where men can refine their carpentry skills on a job that probably isn’t worth the invested time and effort. Why? The women are moving in.

          Thanks to the inspiration of interior designers and home improvement programmes, women have adopted the notion that garden sheds can be useful spaces for their amusements too; tool kits, sports memorabilia and mini beer fridges are being replaced by designer sofas, romantic novels and scatter cushions. Concordantly, surveys have shown that the number of women employing ‘shed space’ (as either an extension to their homes, or as an outdoor haven) has risen to 40%, and will continue to rise further.

           Indeed, it would appear that the secret of the precious, extra breathing space so graciously provided by the garden shed has been revealed to all, and in so doing has exposed the versatility that the space can potentially provide. In-law evasion could be coming to an end as the deafening sound of the wood saw is silenced, and no longer drowns out the exasperated call of a distant wife. Nor will a man be able to stay home and finish ‘that last bit of painting,’ forcing his partner to fly solo at the salsa class they ‘both’ signed up for. A whole new breed of excuses is required. Undeniably, the situation looks grave for the shed men of today.

Sheds For Women

          More and more sheds are turning into artist studios, lean-to bars, miniature spas, relaxation rooms and offices. Sally Coulthard, author or ‘Shed Chic’ states that “sheds are no longer neglected outbuildings or decorative afterthoughts at the bottom of the garden,” “they are equally successful as spaces in which to indulge creative pursuits or to make a well-considered home-from-home.” This change in perception of the shed and the additional uses it brings, may seem beneficial to an entire household; however sales of Shed Chic have so far been dominated by women, showing that men may not be as eager to let go of their idea of what the role of a shed should be.

‘Ideal Home Magazine’ gives some basic steps that some might take when transforming a shed into the home-from-home that Coulthard describes:

•    Paint it mint green and sky blue, then, add some classic wicker furniture for the ultimate retreat at the end of your garden.

•    Give it a homely feel with cushions in retro floral prints and a pretty painting.

•    Add a rug for extra comfort, and hang a voile curtain across the door so you can shelter from the sun but still enjoy the breeze.

•    Put up a shelf to store all your favourite books, along with some lanterns for evening reading.

These changes in style seem far from the previous ideas and uses for a shed described by Gareth Jones in his 2004 book, ‘Shed Men.’ Contrastingly from Shed Chic, Shed Men “examines the quirky phenomenon of sheds and sheddism, arguing that a bloke's shed begins where a boy's room leaves off, providing a home to the prized objects and boyish dreams there is seldom room for inside the house.” How times have changed.

          However, to all men who are mourning the loss of their trusty haven, you should take a moment to consider those less fortunate than yourselves. While the western world has until now regarded the garden shed as a primarily male dominated environment, in other cultures it would seem that this sacred right of men has always been absent. In India for example, you may stumble across a rather more alternative (if not a little disturbing) use of the garden shed.

          Buried in the Pudukottai region of India is a village named Narikudi, consisting of no more than 102 families. Here in this remote community you will encounter a collection of sheds, constructed entirely with one purpose in mind; to accommodate the women. So how did they get so lucky? Well, hold on a second. It seems these carefully constructed allotments exist solely to house women of the village during a ‘particular few’ days of the month. Now, whilst at first this may seem reasonable, upon further thought, using a shed to shut a woman away for five days may be extending its versatility a little too far. However in this same village it would not be considered unusual for a woman to go through all the traumas of labour with nothing but the humble comforts of these rudimentary shacks. Nonetheless, this tradition, locally known as Poyyalamman, is a highly cherished and respected part of life; here the women voluntarily enter into this form of confinement with the firm beliefs that they are partaking in a prestigious ritual. According to Mamanga, a mother of seven children, “… Poyyalamman protects us all”. It would seem that here, the infiltration of women into the world of the garden shed has been taken to an entirely different level.

Sheila Sheds

          Similarly, deep down under on the Australian coast, an equally alarming concept had been born: the Sheila Shed. These sheds are designed specifically for the past times and delights of women. In the town of Kempsey ‘sheilas’ congregate regularly in large sheds to teach each other the best ways one can create a chopping board, or a bread bin, with the assistance power tools. The idea was born to create a women’s equivalent of the “Men Shed” society which had previously existed in Kempsey in isolation: according to Jocelyn Strutt there were some women who felt they had "… been there done that with the knitting, crocheting and patch working skills and just want[ed] to do something different."

          While this way of life is unlikely to catch on everywhere, it’s clear that a definite shift in the world of the garden shed has taken place. The media has introduced home improvement as an activity for both sexes and that, along with an economic downturn, has encouraged a change in attitude toward that little bit of extra space sitting at the bottom of the garden. Jan Heffernan of Kempsey, Australia sums it up, “I go to shops and look at power tools now instead of knitting needles."