Story behind the art of Kim Spink

Curious Allies: Mutualism in Fungi, Parasites, and Carnivores

The Fifth New York Botanical Garden Triennial

Lichens Study

l to r : Letharia vulpina, Hypogymnia physodes, Bryoria fuscescens, Usnea sp.

These four little tree-dwelling lichens live in the dense forests on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. I see them when I hike through the trees to get to our favorite fly fishing spots on the rivers. The forest and its rivers are some of my favorite places, and they provide me with endless fascination and subject matter. Letharia vulpina caught my attention first; although less common than the other three, its bright green color stands out.

According to the US Forest Service, lichens are a complex life form that is a symbiotic partnership of two organisms, a fungus and an alga. The dominant partner is the fungus. The algae enable fungi to gain nutrients. The algal partner photosynthesizes and provides food for the fungus so it can grow and spread. The fungus protects its algae so they can live in dry environments without dying. Through photosynthesis, algae convert carbon dioxide to oxygen, which we need for survival. Another way lichens benefit humans is by their ability to absorb everything in their atmosphere, especially pollutants. Scientists study lichens to detect and assess the ecological impacts of air pollutants. Some lichens are more tolerant of air pollution than others. For example, one of my subjects, Hypogymnia physodes is tolerant of air pollution.

Hypogymnia physodes is easy to find. It’s a subtle creamy gray color and looks leafy, soft, and puffy. Letharia vulpina has a jagged, small, rounded form. Vulpinic acid accounts for its distinctive color and makes the lichen toxic to insects, meat-eating mammals, and people, but deer and elk can eat it. Deer and elk also like to nibble Usnea and birds use its light smoky green, delicate-looking hairs for nesting material. Usnea and Bryoria often grow beside each other. The black Bryoria lichen grows higher up on a tree as it will die if covered in snow.

Each lichen presents its own unique drawing challenges but over several visits, I observed the lichens at different times of the day and in varied weather conditions. This helped to me gain insight into the best ways to depict their textures and colors.

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Read more about this artist's work: 25th Annual