Origin
Loxospora pustulata (Brodo & Culb.) R. C. Harris, commonly known as Fish Scale Lichen, is a species of lichen that can be found in many parts of the world. It is commonly found in North America, Asia, and Europe.
Common Names
Loxospora pustulata is commonly known by several other names. These names include the fish scale lichen, the small-pored crust, orange lichen, and pustularia lichen.
General Appearance
Loxospora pustulata is a lichen that grows on rocks, tree bark, and soil. The lichen is orange-red, yellow, or brown in color and has small, round, raised bumps or pustules on its surface. The bumps have a fishscale-like pattern, which is where its common name originates from. The lichen can also have a smooth surface and lacks any lobes. The apothecia, the structures on the surface of the lichen that produce spores, is small, disk-shaped, and have a reddish-purple color. The lichen can grow up to 1 cm in size and can form extensive colonies.
Uses
Loxospora pustulata does not have any significant uses to humans. However, the lichen plays an important ecological role in the environment. It helps to cycle nutrients and provides food and shelter for many microscopic organisms. It also helps to prevent soil erosion and improves air quality by trapping pollutants in its thallus.
Light Requirements
Loxospora pustulata typically grows in shaded areas with an adequate amount of moisture. It is a shade-loving lichen and thrives under low lighting conditions. Although it can tolerate some amount of sunlight, direct exposure to sunlight can harm the thallus of the lichen, causing damage to its growth and development.
Temperature Requirements
The growth of Loxospora pustulata is greatly influenced by temperature. Generally, it grows well in cool and damp environments and is seen to thrive in temperatures ranging from 10-15°C. Extremely cold or hot temperatures can greatly affect its growth and development. Hence, it is mostly found in temperate climates.
Soil Requirements
As a lichen, Loxospora pustulata does not have specific soil requirements. Instead, it grows on living or dead wood, especially coniferous trees and prefers to grow on old trees. It can also be found growing on mosses and other lichens. The lichen forms a symbiotic relationship with the trees on which it grows and obtains nutrients from the tree's bark.
Cultivation Methods
Loxospora pustulata is a lichen that typically grows on acidic bark and rocks, so it is not suitable for traditional cultivation methods. However, it can be grown as a houseplant in a terrarium or a humid, shady spot.
To grow Loxospora pustulata as a houseplant, prepare a container with moist, acidic soil and place the lichen on top. Make sure the container has good drainage and is not in direct sunlight or high temperatures. Spray the lichen with water daily to maintain humidity.
Watering Needs
Loxospora pustulata requires consistent moisture, but not soaking. Water the lichen when the soil feels dry to the touch or the lichen appears dull and flat. Use only distilled or rainwater, as tap water may contain minerals that could harm the lichen.
Fertilization
Loxospora pustulata does not require fertilization, as it obtains all necessary nutrients from the air and the substrate it grows on.
Pruning
Loxospora pustulata does not require pruning, as it does not have leaves or stems. However, it may benefit from occasional cleaning with a soft brush or gentle spray of water to remove debris or dust.
Propagation of Loxospora pustulata
Loxospora pustulata is a rare and beautiful lichen species that grows on rock surfaces in alpine and subalpine habitats. Propagation of this species can be quite challenging, but there are a few methods that can be used to increase its population.
Vegetative Propagation
One way to propagate Loxospora pustulata is through vegetative propagation. This can be done by carefully removing a portion of the lichen thallus and attaching it to a suitable substrate. The substrate should be similar to the one where the original lichen was growing, and it should be kept moist and shaded until the new thallus establishes itself.
Spore Propagation
Another method for propagating Loxospora pustulata is through spore propagation. Mature apothecia can be collected and stored in a cool, dry place until they release their spores. The spores can then be dispersed onto a suitable substrate, such as a sterilized petri dish with agar medium, and kept in a humid environment at low light levels. Once the spores germinate and form small thalli, they can be carefully transferred to a suitable substrate for growth and development.
Culture Propagation
In addition to spore propagation, Loxospora pustulata can also be propagated in laboratory cultures. This method involves removing a small section of the lichen thallus and placing it on a sterile medium. The medium should contain the nutrients necessary for growth and development, and the culture should be kept in a controlled environment with appropriate light and temperature conditions. Over time, the culture will expand and produce new thalli that can be used for further propagation or reintroduction into the wild.
Disease Management for Loxospora pustulata
Loxospora pustulata is a species of lichen that is generally resilient against diseases. However, it may fall prey to some fungal infections that can potentially damage its growth and vitality.
One of the common diseases that affect L. pustulata is Phoma herbarum which leads to leaf spots and twig blight. Another disease that affects its growth is Rhizoctonia solani, which results in root rot and seedling damping-off.
The best preventive measure to avoid these diseases is to maintain proper hygiene of the plants and the surrounding soil. It is advisable to remove infected twigs and leaves carefully and dispose of them far away from the garden to avoid further spreading of the diseases.
Regularly pruning and sterilizing all cutting tools used in the garden will help to limit the transfer of disease-causing microorganisms from one plant to another.
Pest Management for Loxospora pustulata
Loxospora pustulata is generally pest-free and does not attract many pests to affect its growth.
The lichen may encounter issues with aphid infestations that can lead to leaf curling and stunted growth. To manage these pests, one can introduce natural predators such as ladybugs into the garden or spray insecticidal soaps on the affected area.
Another problem L. pustulata might face is spider mites that usually grow in hot and arid conditions. These pests typically feed on the sap of the plant resulting in yellowing of leaves and curling of the plant. To control spider mite growth, spray insecticidal soap or treat the plant with neem oil.
It is important to maintain a regular check on the plants, and when diagnosed with pest infestation, isolate the plant immediately to avoid further spread of the problem.
