Overview
Graphina anguina (Mont.) Mull. Arg. is an epiphytic lichen that belongs to the family Graphidaceae. It is commonly known as "Snake Graphina" due to its snake-like appearance. This lichen is commonly found in the tropical and subtropical regions of America, Asia, and Africa.
Appearance
The thallus (body) of Graphina anguina consists of thin, elongated, and tubular branches that resemble a snake's body. The branches are smooth and glossy, measuring approximately 3mm in diameter and up to 10cm in length. The color of the branches ranges from greenish-grey to dark brown, and they often twist and coil around other surfaces, making them easy to identify.
Uses
Graphina anguina has been used for medicinal purposes in traditional medicine. In India, it is used as an antiseptic and as a remedy for stomach ailments, asthma, and fever. Some indigenous tribes in South and Central America use this lichen to treat skin diseases and infections.
Graphina anguina is also used in the manufacturing of perfumes and food coloring agents due to its pleasant odor and pigmentation.
Despite its uses, it is important to note that Graphina anguina is a protected species, and harvesting or using it without permission is illegal.
Light Requirements
The plant Graphina anguina requires moderate to strong light. It can tolerate exposure to direct sunlight but prefers bright, indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can cause the plant to wither and scorch, while inadequate light can stunt its growth.
Temperature Requirements
The plant Graphina anguina thrives in warm temperatures ranging from 18 to 27 degrees Celsius. It is tolerant of both high and low temperatures, but extreme fluctuations can damage the plant. In colder temperatures, the plant may enter dormancy and stop growing temporarily.
Soil Requirements
The plant Graphina anguina grows well in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH between 5.5 and 7.0. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged, as excessive moisture can lead to fungal growth and root rot. Adding organic matter such as compost to the soil can help improve drainage and provide the plant with essential nutrients.
Cultivation
Graphina anguina (Mont.) Mull. Arg. is a fascinating plant with its typical flat and elongated thallus and characteristic olive-green color. To cultivate this plant, start with a well-draining substrate, preferably acidic. As you'll be handling a lichen rather than a typical vascular plant, your choice of substrate should promote certain lichen-specific factors like low nutrient content, hydration, and a suitable ph.
Depending on your location and climatic conditions, you might want to reproduce these conditions in a greenhouse or something similar. Consider factors such as temperature, light intensity, and relative humidity when setting up your cultivation space.
Watering Needs
Graphina anguina requires regular watering. However, caution should be taken not to overwater the plant, as excessive water could encourage fungal growth or other diseases within the lichen. It is good practice to keep the plant's substrate semi-moist or moist but not water-clogged to avoid these setbacks during watering.
Fertilization
Graphina anguina does not require any special fertilization, as lichens receive most of their nutrients from the air. The plant's photobiont relies on photosynthesis to produce carbohydrates that are readily available for the lichen's mycobiont. Thus, standard fertilizers might not be necessary. However, you can use fertilizers low in nitrogen to promote growth.
Pruning
Pruning Graphina anguina is unnecessary because, unlike vascular plants, lichens do not have a typical growth structure. Instead, they grow in terms of thallus and propagules. Some lichens might outgrow their chosen space, and when this happens, you can either provide more space and substrate or propagate them through other available means.
Propagation of Graphina anguina
Graphina anguina (Mont.) Mull. Arg. is typically propagated through vegetative means.
Fragmentation
One of the most common methods of propagating Graphina anguina is through fragmentation. The plant can be fragmented into small pieces and these pieces can be placed in soil to grow. The fragments should contain both bark and cambium tissue. It is essential to keep the soil moist, and to provide adequate light and warmth for the fragments to grow. Fragmentation can be done during the growing season, and it typically takes a few weeks for the fragments to root and start growing.
Cloning
Cloning is another propagation method that can be used for Graphina anguina. In this method, a portion of the parent plant is taken and treated with growth hormones to initiate rooting. Once the roots have formed, the new plant can be planted in soil and allowed to grow. While this method is more efficient in terms of ensuring that the new plant is identical to the parent, it can be more complicated and requires specialized tools and knowledge.
Cutting
Graphina anguina can also be propagated through cutting. One way to do this is by taking a cutting from the parent plant's stem, making sure that it contains a node. The cutting should be treated with rooting hormone and placed in moist soil, and kept under appropriate conditions. With good care and favorable conditions, the cutting should start to root within a few weeks.
Disease Management
Graphina anguina is a relatively disease-resistant plant. However, it may succumb to some fungal diseases such as anthracnose and powdery mildew.
To manage anthracnose in Graphina anguina, it is best to prune any affected branches or plant parts immediately. Avoid overhead watering and thin the plant to improve air circulation. Fungicides containing copper, sulfur, or mancozeb may also help control the disease.
Powdery mildew can be controlled by applying fungicides or neem oil. It is important to maintain good air circulation around the plant and avoid watering late in the day. Pruning infected parts of the plant can also help manage the disease.
Pest Management
Graphina anguina can occasionally suffer from pest infestations, including mites and scales.
Mites can be controlled by using insecticidal sprays or horticultural oils. It is also important to maintain high humidity and avoid drought stress, which can exacerbate the infestation.
Scale insects can be managed by pruning heavily infested parts of the plant and using horticultural oils or insecticidal sprays. It is important to regularly inspect the plant for signs of infestation and to avoid over-fertilizing, which can encourage scale development.
