Plant Description:
Biatora anthracophila (Nyl.) Hafellner is a species of lichen belonging to the family Ramalinaceae. It is characterized by a gray-green thallus that is 0.3-1 cm in diameter and surrounded by a black prothallus. The lobes of the thallus are flat and closely attached to the substrate. The apothecia are frequent and small, with a black disc and a thick margin.
Origin and Distribution:
Biatora anthracophila is found in Europe, particularly in central and eastern regions, and in North America, where it is considered rare. In Europe, this lichen is most commonly found on alkaline substrates, such as calcareous rocks, stones, building materials, and concrete, but it has also been found on tree bark and soil.
Common Names:
Biatora anthracophila is commonly known as the Coal-ash Lichen or the Cinder Lichen, since it often grows on coal deposits and ash from burning coal.
Uses:
As with many other lichen species, Biatora anthracophila has no known uses in modern medicine or industry. However, it is important as an indicator species of air pollution, since it is sensitive to sulfur dioxide and other pollutants emitted by burning fossil fuels. Monitoring the presence and abundance of Biatora anthracophila can reveal the extent and severity of environmental pollution in the regions where it occurs.
Growth Conditions of Biatora Anthracophila
Biatora anthracophila is a lichenized fungus that grows on different kinds of substrates, particularly wood and bark. Despite being a photosynthetic organism, it thrives in low light environments such as understory areas, shaded tree trunks, and forest understory habitats.
Light Requirements
While Biatora anthracophila can tolerate a wide range of light conditions, it prefers to grow in areas with lower light intensity. In particularly sunny areas, it can be found growing in shaded micro-habitats like the north face of trees, rocks or in the understory.
Temperature Requirements
Biatora anthracophila is a mesic species, preferring cool and moist habitats with temperatures ranging between 10 and 20°C. Its optimum growth temperature is 15°C. It doesn't grow well under excessively warm or cold temperatures and is only commonly found in temperate and boreal regions.
Soil Requirements
Biatora anthracophila grows in a wide range of soil types, although it prefers well-drained and slightly acidic soils. It is also capable of growing on organic substrates such as wood, bark, and soil, as well as inorganic substrates like rocks, gravels, and tiles. The species is often found in association with other lichens and mosses, which makes it more efficient in nutrient and moisture absorption from the environment.
Cultivation Methods
Biatora anthracophila (Nyl.) Hafellner is a challenging plant to cultivate because it is a lichen and not a typical plant. Therefore, replicating its natural habitat is crucial. The primary condition for cultivating this plant is exposing it to the right amount of sunlight. You will need to cover the plant's soil with a shallow layer of soil or sand to provide a suitable base for the lichen to attach.
Watering Needs
As a lichen, Biatora anthracophila (Nyl.) Hafellner does not require much water as it obtains its nutrients from the environment. Ensure that the soil is moist, but not waterlogged, and let it dry out before the next watering session. Use a water mist spray bottle or a gentle trickle to water the plant to avoid disturbing the lichen as much as possible.
Fertilization
Biatora anthracophila (Nyl.) Hafellner does not require any fertilization. As mentioned earlier, it obtains its nutrients from the surrounding environment. Therefore, avoid adding any fertilizers to the soil as this can harm the lichen.
Pruning
Since Biatora anthracophila (Nyl.) Hafellner is a lichen, it does not require any pruning. However, you may need to remove any debris or dust that accumulates on the lichen's surface using a soft-bristled brush. Do this gently to avoid damaging the lichen.
Propagation of Biatora Anthracophila
Biatora anthracophila, commonly known as the Coal-loving Rock Lichen, is a slow-growing lichen that can be propagated in two ways:
Vegetative Propagation
Vegetative propagation is the easiest and the most common method used for propagating Biatora anthracophila. In this method, a small piece of the lichen's thallus is taken and used to make new colonies. Thallus is the vegetative part of the lichen that provides nutrition to the plant. The best time for taking thallus is during the lichen's active growth period.
Thallus can be taken from the parent plant using a sharp blade or scissors. The thallus should be clean and free from any other plant material. It is advisable to take the thallus from the upper surface of the parent plant because it receives more light and, hence, has a better chance of growing.
The thallus can be used to make new colonies on a substrate such as a rock or a tree. To do this, the thallus is placed on the substrate and held in place with a small amount of water. The substrate should be kept moist but not wet until the new colonies establish.
Sexual Propagation
Sexual propagation is another method used for propagating Biatora anthracophila. In this method, the lichen produces spores that can grow into new plants. The spores are small and usually dispersed by wind or water.
To propagate Biatora anthracophila using spores, a substrate coated with sterilized agar can be used. The spores are spread over the agar and allowed to grow. Once the spores have established a thallus, they can be transplanted to a substrate such as a rock or a tree.
The success rate of sexual propagation is low, and it can take several years for the new lichens to establish, which makes this method less commonly used than vegetative propagation.
Disease and Pest Management for Biatora anthracophila
Biatora anthracophila is a lichen that grows on bark of coniferous trees such as pine, fir, and spruce. While this lichen is relatively resistant to diseases and pests, it can still be affected by various factors, especially when growing under unfavorable conditions.
Common Diseases
One of the most common fungal diseases that can affect Biatora anthracophila is anthracnose. This disease is caused by several fungi species and can be identified by dark brown spots or lesions that appear on the lichen's thallus. If left untreated, anthracnose can lead to wilt and dieback of the lichen.
To manage anthracnose, infected branches should be pruned and destroyed. Additionally, fungicides can be applied during the growing season to protect the lichen from further infection. It is important to note that care should be taken when choosing a fungicide, as some products may harm the lichen or the tree it grows on.
Common Pests
Biatora anthracophila is generally not affected by pests, however, in rare cases, it can be attacked by insect or mite infestations. Spider mites, in particular, are known to cause damage to this lichen, resulting in brown or yellow discoloration of the thallus and reduced growth.
To manage spider mites, foliage should be sprayed with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. These products can be applied every 7-10 days until the infestation is under control. It is important to avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides, as these can harm beneficial insects and other organisms in the ecosystem.
General Management Practices
Aside from disease and pest management, it is important to practice good cultural practices to maintain healthy Biatora anthracophila growth. This includes providing adequate water and nutrition for the lichen, as well as minimizing environmental stressors such as pollution and excessive exposure to sunlight.
Additionally, encouraging proper tree health can help prevent the development of diseases and pests that can affect lichens. Regular pruning, fertilization, and soil amendments can all contribute to a healthy tree ecosystem that supports the growth of Biatora anthracophila.
