lichens again
the weather has been frightful, heavy rain and hurricane force winds for one 12 hour period. And, I am attending a follow-up class at Pearson College on Pedder Bay just outside Victoria, B.C. The forest floor and paths are littered with fallen lichen.
These are fruticose lichens and I’m not sure of their botanical name but are commonly known as British soldiers, no doubt after their red caps. As they are still firmly attached to the tree I haven’t taken any and don’t know for sure if they produce a dye although I suspect they do.
Ochrolechia parella, the size of a pin head or a little larger. I carefully remove them from firewood trying not to get any bark. They are an orchil lichen and need to be fermented in ammonia and will produce deep pinks and purples.
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fantastic, alien, mesmerizing lichen! i wish i could find some dyestuff ones where i live, but sadly the weather doesn’t lend itself to their growth.
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The strong winds here have blown a lot of lichen of branches and trees in the woods round me. must go and retrieve some. Have not dyed with any yet..must go and luck up instructions. lyndaxx
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Neat! I’m going to check for that one on the firewood. The only lichen I can identify is lobaria pulmonaria, and I have been collecting the pieces that blow off a big leaf maple down the road. Managed to get a whole big bag over the course of the winter.
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