Some of the most beautiful and intricate creatures in the garden are not plants at all. A diversity of lichens are showing off right now on tree bark and branches, on stones, on unpainted garden furniture and even soil, more visible since many of the garden’s plants have quieted down visually for their dormant season. Let’s go on a virtual lichen walk with lichenologist Jessica Allen, co-author of a new book on the subject.

Jessica Allen is an Assistant Professor of Integrative Plant Biology at Eastern Washington University. And before that she pursued her PhD at New York Botanical Garden in a joint program with the City University of New York. At NYBG she met lichenologist James Lendemer, and years later, when she conceived of creating the new book, “Urban Lichens: A Field Guide for Northeastern North America,” she invited him to collaborate, as they have continued to do on lichen research work over the years.

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