Alga and Fungus living together are known as Lichen.
Taking a closer look at a Lichen, it reminds me of the slime monsters in the black and white SciFi movies from long ago *shudder*
Lichens come in a variety of colors and forms, gray, brown, green, crusty, hairy, bubbly, etc, and can be found on every continent of our Earth in all climates and altitudes.
Lichens are not harmful to the plant, they just sit on the surface. I don’t worry too much about them on the Crepe Myrtles since those trees shed their bark and with it the lichens.
To control the growth of Lichens try Copper fungicide.
Want to know more about Lichen? go to All about Lichen
Leave a reply
Helene
April 17th, 2012 at 21:23
Beautiful pictures
I think lichens looks pretty, never thought of it as a problem.
Gone Tropical
April 18th, 2012 at 09:08
I agree some are pretty, others look scary… at least when looked at with a Macro lens
K8Orlando
April 18th, 2012 at 09:23
They really are beautiful. I love your macros!
I recently noticed a couple red patches on the barbs of my silk floss tree; I didn’t know what they could be but now I’m thinking they might be a form of lichen. Something to research!
Gone Tropical
April 18th, 2012 at 10:13
I hope the red patches are not something serious? keep me posted.
Chrissy McNally
April 18th, 2012 at 12:55
Wow ! they do look like something out of a SciFi Movie
I have never given them much thought either they are everywhere I am not sure if it is because I live in a swamp area or not will have to check out the site you gave and lean more … thank you for your lovely posts I have learned a lot from you….
Gone Tropical
April 18th, 2012 at 13:31
Thanks Chrissy, for your kind comment. yes, do check out the link to the lichen.com site. it sure has a lot of information and pictures
Indie
April 18th, 2012 at 22:39
Very cool looking! I love the look of lichen on tree branches. I think I read somewhere that lichen will only grow in areas where the air is pure enough. That means good things for your area!
Gone Tropical
April 19th, 2012 at 17:45
clean air yes, but they also seem to like to attach themselves to stressed plants :-/
james
April 19th, 2012 at 00:10
I really love those exotic looking lichen.
Guess they don’t thrive in my region and so I just have to settle with Moss & ferns.
Gone Tropical
April 19th, 2012 at 17:46
and I read they can be found everywhere on this Earth. Keep your eyes open, you may find some after all
Nell Jean
April 19th, 2012 at 15:32
I read in several places that lichens grow where the air is pure.
Gone Tropical
April 19th, 2012 at 17:46
The air better be good, we live ‘almost’ in the country lol