“This is lichen,” Cillian the botanist told the Summer School ecology class on Inishbofin Island in Ireland. He pointed to a rock covered with the common substance, a soft rain dripping down its surface. Lichens can be one of about 15,000 species, usually growing on rocks or trees, Cillian told us. But they can grow on almost any surface at almost any elevation in rainforests or temperate moist climates like Ireland. They can grow on roofs, gravestones and other lichens, even hang from branches, appearing to live on thin air.
Great article Mary. Love how you tie detailed botanical and geological information into a narrative relating back to symbiosis in your garden, then back out to global implications.
This is the second time in a couple of weeks that I have heard homo sapiens might have survived--and thrived--because of cooperation and communication. Thank you for this thoughtful, thought-provoking post, Mary. I am liking the lichens (sorry couldn't help it!) Ancient beings with something new and old to teach us. Inspiring.
Beautiful sentiment that will ring in my head for a life time! Cooperation has been undermined by war and simple disfunction. Improving things has always been left to government that often uses cooperation badly, if at all. How often have I heard, "Not my job!" when it comes to things that are failing, yet without someone taking responsibility to get it fixed, it remains a problem. Thanks for the illumination of something so ignored but such a good example of exactly what needs to take place!
💖You grabbed my attention with your opening words and kept me riveted as you blended and wove wisdom and wonder throughout this piece. I LOVE lichen! Your description of the tree trunk based lichen with meteoric-like goblet cups atop sent me outside to commune with our local lichen. 🙏🏼
Lovely! Will only point out that Darwin said “fittest,” not strongest. As Liberty Hyde Bailey reminds us in his chapter against war in The Holy Earth, Darwin understood (against Tennyson’s “red in tooth and claw”) that fittest usually meant most adaptable. Symbiosis, and cooperation, is an excellent adaptation for fitness. The reason the small and adaptable organisms survive longest is that they are more fit than the big and the strong.
What an amazing and applicable story. The title suggests a discussion about one issue; to which the story is certainly relevant, but leads the reader on a journey of a much broader and even more important current social issue. Thank you for starting the day with positivity and hope. This is a story of emotion and intellect. It also reminds us, in a world filled with competition and individuality, that there is a homeostasis that can and should exist through symbiosis.
Great article Mary. Love how you tie detailed botanical and geological information into a narrative relating back to symbiosis in your garden, then back out to global implications.
This is the second time in a couple of weeks that I have heard homo sapiens might have survived--and thrived--because of cooperation and communication. Thank you for this thoughtful, thought-provoking post, Mary. I am liking the lichens (sorry couldn't help it!) Ancient beings with something new and old to teach us. Inspiring.
Beautiful sentiment that will ring in my head for a life time! Cooperation has been undermined by war and simple disfunction. Improving things has always been left to government that often uses cooperation badly, if at all. How often have I heard, "Not my job!" when it comes to things that are failing, yet without someone taking responsibility to get it fixed, it remains a problem. Thanks for the illumination of something so ignored but such a good example of exactly what needs to take place!
💖You grabbed my attention with your opening words and kept me riveted as you blended and wove wisdom and wonder throughout this piece. I LOVE lichen! Your description of the tree trunk based lichen with meteoric-like goblet cups atop sent me outside to commune with our local lichen. 🙏🏼
Lovely! Will only point out that Darwin said “fittest,” not strongest. As Liberty Hyde Bailey reminds us in his chapter against war in The Holy Earth, Darwin understood (against Tennyson’s “red in tooth and claw”) that fittest usually meant most adaptable. Symbiosis, and cooperation, is an excellent adaptation for fitness. The reason the small and adaptable organisms survive longest is that they are more fit than the big and the strong.
What an amazing and applicable story. The title suggests a discussion about one issue; to which the story is certainly relevant, but leads the reader on a journey of a much broader and even more important current social issue. Thank you for starting the day with positivity and hope. This is a story of emotion and intellect. It also reminds us, in a world filled with competition and individuality, that there is a homeostasis that can and should exist through symbiosis.
Mary, this is absolutely fascinating! Thank you!!
Nice. Symbiosis - what a catchy word. I too remember from high school biology. Cooperation, wouldn’t it be nice?
If only...but I love your optimism
Love this piece!! Thank you!!