Description of Biatorella campestris (Fr.) Almq.
Biatorella campestris (Fr.) Almq. is a species of lichen that belongs to the family Lecanoraceae. It is a crustose lichen that has a yellow-brown to greenish yellow thallus. The thallus is smooth and has a waxy or glossy appearance. It grows on soil and has small, rounded, and slightly concave apothecia that are black to reddish-brown in color.
Origin and Common Names
Biatorella campestris (Fr.) Almq. is found in Europe and North America, growing on soil in open, sunny or partially shaded habitats. It is commonly known as the "field mustard lichen" or "rusty shield lichen".
Uses
Biatorella campestris (Fr.) Almq. is not known to have any medicinal or economic uses. However, it plays an important role in soil formation and stability.
General Appearance
The thallus of Biatorella campestris (Fr.) Almq. is smooth and has a waxy or glossy appearance. It can range from yellow-brown to greenish yellow in color. The apothecia are small, rounded, and slightly concave with a black to reddish-brown color. The overall appearance of the lichen is distinctive and recognizable.
Light Requirements
Biatorella campestris is a photophilic fungus species that requires a significant amount of light to grow. However, direct sunlight can be harmful to its growth. Therefore, B. campestris grows well in partially-shaded areas where it can receive indirect sunlight.
Temperature Requirements
This fungus species is known to grow in a broad temperature range of 5°C to 30°C. However, the ideal temperature for its growth is between 15°C to 25°C. Below 5°C, the growth stops, and the fungus becomes dormant. Above 30°C, B. campestris is prone to drying out and dying.
Soil Requirements
Biatorella campestris typically grows in nutrient-poor calcareous soil. Calcareous soil is alkaline and contains high levels of calcium carbonate. This fungus species can also grow in rocky outcrops and cliffs where the soil is shallow. However, the soil pH should not be less than 7.0 as acidic soil negatively affects its growth.
Cultivation Methods
Biatorella campestris is a terrestrial lichen that grows in soil and on decaying wood. Its cultivation methods primarily involve mimicking its natural habitat. This plant is generally found in open and dry habitats, so it's essential to provide similar conditions when growing it in gardens.
You should grow Biatorella campestris in well-draining soil with adequate air circulation, and it's recommended that you use a porous soil mix. A sandy loam soil mix with partially decayed wood is an ideal medium for growing this plant.
You can propagate Biatorella campestris by division, and since it is a slow-growing plant, it is advisable to allow the new plant to establish before moving it to a new location.
Watering Needs
Biatorella campestris requires moderate watering. However, overwatering should be avoided since this plant thrives in dry soil conditions. You should only water it when the soil is entirely dry, and during dry spells, you should water it once a week.
Ensure that you water the plant at the base and avoid getting water onto the thallus, which can lead to rotting.
Fertilization
Biatorella campestris is a lichen, and it obtains nutrients from its surroundings, so fertilization is unnecessary. However, if you feel that your plant might benefit from fertilizers, it's advisable to use a slow-release organic fertilizer once a year during the growing season to avoid overfeeding.
Pruning
Biatorella campestris is a slow-growing plant that requires very minimal pruning. You can remove any brown, damaged, or dead thalli to prevent fungal infections from spreading to healthy parts of the plant. Besides, pruning can be done to maintain the plant's shape or size and to remove any unwanted thalli.
Propagation of Biatorella campestris
Biatorella campestris (Fr.) Almq., commonly known as field pansy, is a member of the family Orchidaceae. This plant is endemic to southern Europe, where it grows on grassy slopes, roadsides, and meadowlands. The plant can be propagated through several methods, which will be discussed in this article.
Propagating Biatorella campestris through seeds
Biatorella campestris can be propagated through seeds. The plant produces small capsules containing numerous tiny seeds. The seeds should be collected when they are mature. They can be sown in a seed tray or a small pot containing a mixture of peat and sand. The seeds should be covered with a thin layer of sand and kept moist. The tray or pot should be placed in a warm, bright location, and the seeds should germinate in 2-3 weeks. Once the seedlings are large enough, they can be transplanted into individual pots.
Propagating Biatorella campestris through division
Biatorella campestris can also be propagated through division. The best time to divide the plant is in spring before new growth begins. The plant should be carefully lifted from the ground and the root ball separated into smaller sections. Each section should have a good root system and at least one shoot. The sections can be planted into individual pots containing a mixture of peat and sand. The pots should be placed in a shaded, cool location, and kept moist until the plant establishes itself.
Propagating Biatorella campestris through cuttings
Biatorella campestris can also be propagated through cuttings. The best time to take cuttings is in spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. Cuttings should be 5-10 cm long and taken from the stem just below a leaf node. The lower leaves should be removed, and the cutting dipped in rooting hormone. The cutting can be planted into a pot containing a mixture of peat and sand. The pot should be covered with a plastic bag to retain moisture and placed in a shaded, cool location. The cutting should root in 2-3 weeks, and once roots have formed, it can be transplanted into a larger pot or into the ground.
Disease and Pest Management for Biatorella Campestris (Fr.) Almq.
Biatorella campestris (Fr.) Almq., commonly known as the Field Biatorella, is a lichen-forming fungus that grows on the bark of deciduous trees such as oak, beech, and birch. Like any living organism, it is susceptible to various diseases and pests that can affect its growth and health. Below are some common diseases and pests that might affect the plant and some ways to manage them.
Common Diseases
1. Lichen Spot Disease: This disease is caused by a fungal pathogen that attacks the thallus, producing brown to black spots. It can also cause the thallus to become brittle and break off. The disease is prevalent in humid conditions, and it can spread rapidly.
Management: Though there is no considerable harm caused by the disease, gardeners and plantation owners must watch out for its spread in damp conditions. It is recommended to maintain good cultural practices, such as pruning dead branches and avoiding water-stress conditions during the summer months. To control the spread of the disease, it is advisable to apply chemical fungicides such as Bordeaux mixture and copper oxychloride.
2. Anthracnose: This type of disease is caused by the fungal pathogen Colletrotrichum gloeosporioides, which targets the Biatorella campestris twigs, branches, and leaves resulting in a sunken patch on the surface. It is more common in humid or moist weather conditions
Management: To control the spread of the disease, gardeners must prune diseased parts and remove them immediately. Provide proper air circulation and avoid over-watering plants. It is also advisable to apply copper-based fungicides such as copper hydroxide, Bordeaux mixture, and copper octanoate.
Common Pests
1. Spider Mites: These pests are tiny arachnids that cause damage to the Biatorella campestris leaves. They often cause a discoloration of the leaves and may produce a fine webbing on the plants' surface.
Management: To control the spread of spider mites, gardeners are advised to spray insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, or neem oil directly on the pests. It is essential to maintain good irrigation practices and keep the plants' environment well-moistened to keep the pest population in check. Additionally, one can employ biological methods by introducing natural predators such as lady beetles and predatory mites, which feed on the mites.
2. Scale Insects: These pests are small, sap-sucking insects that affect the Biatorella campestris leaves. They often produce a white, waxy coating on the bark or plant surface.
Management: To control the spread of scale insects, gardeners must prune off affected parts of the plant and discard it immediately. It is advisable to apply dormant oils or insecticidal soap to the entire plant to kill any existing pests. It is essential to maintain proper sanitation practices to prevent re-infestation of the pests.
In conclusion, proper management of diseases and pests affecting the Biatorella campestris (Fr.) Almq. plant is essential for its growth and health. Gardeners should be vigilant in monitoring any signs of diseases and pests to prevent any severe damage to the plant. Employing proper cultural practices, chemical and biological control methods, and maintaining proper sanitation practices can control the spread of diseases and pests affecting the Biatorella campestris (Fr.) Almq.
