Story behind the art of Shevaun Doherty
Curious Allies: Mutualism in Fungi, Parasites, and Carnivores
The Fifth New York Botanical Garden Triennial
'Take a Breath'- Lobaria pulmonaria, Tree Lungwort and Pertusaria multipuncta on birch branch
Lobaria pulmonaria, Pertusaria multipuncta, Betula pendula
They say that when you find a tree lungwort, Lobaria pulmonaria, take a deep breath… for this beautiful leafy lichen only grows in places where the air is pure and fresh. Tree lungwort is found across North America and Europe, growing on broad-leaved trees, scrub, and mossy rocks. However, in Ireland and UK, habitat loss and air pollution have had a devastating effect, and tree lungwort is only found growing in ancient woodlands on the west coast.
My interest in painting lichens began when I learned about Ellen Hutchins (1785-1815). Ellen was Ireland’s first female botanist and a fine botanical illustrator, specializing in lichens, seaweeds, mosses, and liverworts. Living in a remote and beautiful part of Ireland, she discovered many new species in her short life, and made a considerable contribution to botany. I was invited to take part in an annual festival that celebrated her life and aimed to raise awareness about the flora found in the area. It has been an enriching and exciting experience!
In the early 19th century, botanists would often mail boxes of specimens to each other. Ellen corresponded regularly with Dawson Turner, an eminent botanist of the time and father-in-law to William Hooker. Two hundred years after Ellen’s death, I am thrilled to paint specimens from the very areas that Ellen once roamed. This particular branch of lungwort came from Glengarriff Woods in Bantry where Ellen lived, and was collected and mailed to me by conservation ranger Clare Heardman, after a storm had blown it from the trees.
Tree lungwort consists of a fungus, green algae and cyanobacteria - a symbiotic relationship between three kingdoms of organisms. It is a particularly beautiful lichen, with large leafy lobes that are bright green when damp and healthy. The thallus is only loosely attached to the substrate, giving it a very plant-like appearance. The lobes are large, leathery and covered with ridges. Soredia and isidia (the asexual reproductive structures) can be found along the margins and on the ridges. When the lichen becomes dry and brittle, these structures break off, developing into new thalli. The underside of the lobes is covered with a layer of fine hairs (tomentum) giving it a velvety appearance. Tiny black spots are apparent, and these are pockets of cyanobacteria. While the fungal partner (mycobiont) provides the structure of the lichen, the green algae (photobiont) photosynthesize and the cyanobacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen, both providing nutrients for the lichen.
This is quite a large specimen, and I have been asked on a number of occasions if I enlarged it. Most people are surprised to learn that it is painted life-size! I decided to paint it on calfskin vellum which I felt suited the subject. I worked in watercolor, using opaques where necessary (the vellum is sometimes darker than the subject). My biggest challenge was keeping the specimen damp in my studio, which I did using a spray bottle filled with rainwater.
Next Story
Back to List