Lichen Trivia: Peter Rabbit, Canaries, and Moose

PETER RABBIT?

Here's a quick trivia question: What do Peter Rabbit, canaries, and moose have to do with lichens?

Beatrix Potter, author of the Peter Rabbit tales, was also a respected biologist. She was among the first to theorize that lichens are a symbiotic relationship between an algae and a fungus. The algae photosynthesizes and feeds the fungus, which protects the algae from drying. Love and Marriage, Horse and Carriage, Soup and Sandwich—if only the words rhymed better we'd all be singing how Algae and Fungus go so well together!

Canaries and Air Quality

Canaries once warned miners of poisonous gas. When the canary died, miners fled. Lichens perform the same function today—they are excellent indicators of air quality, something the lichen-loving folks in Highlands, NC appreciate daily.

Moose Winter Food

Some fungi protect algae even from freezing temperatures. Lichens growing under Alaskan snows serve as the main winter food source for moose, elk, and deer.

Lichens on Plants

Lichens are harmless hitchhikers on trees and shrubs, often mistaken for pests. They indicate clean air and plant stress, but cause no damage themselves.