Lichens and ivy on the trunk of a tree out on the vineyard road.However you pronounce it, we have it aplenty. It's all over the trees and rocks and stones around us. I read that lichens are not parasites, so they won't harm a tree as they cover its bark. That's a good thing. That ivy, however, will take down a tree if it's given the chance. We try to cut the ivy off the trunks of our trees in the yard, but it's quite tenacious. And it grows back.
'Liken' is more 'correct' in that the word is taken from the Greek. 'Litchen' is a regional British thing. I noticed the other day that Sir D says 'Ay-loh' for aloe. I've never heard that pronunciation before and I don't know where it comes from.
ReplyDeleteBut is it lichen or lichens? Is "it" all over the trees or are "they"? I don't know...
ReplyDeleteIn Australia we say like-en.
ReplyDeleteAll I know is that having lichens is the sign of a healthy environment - they don't like pollution. So deep breaths & enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHowever you say it, I like seeing them.
ReplyDeleteI think LIKE-ENs is more American, though given that David Attenborough says LITCH-EN, I image that is the more "correct" pronunciation. But the Brits also spell Meow "Miaow" so it's totally a you say Tomayto, I say Tomahto kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics. :)
Walt
ReplyDeleteHave you tried to spot spray the Ivy at ground level with a mixture of White vinegar and soap?
I have some weird weed growing in my flower bed and that's the way that I do it every May. However I keep repeating every yr since new shoots always surface in another area,
I researched it, and from what I found, it is “like-en”. Although I was a bit tempted to say “litchen”. Great to know new things.
ReplyDeleteA friend's son has a friend (how's that for a tenuous link) named Lichen (thanks, Mom and Dad). He says "liken". We met him in Yosemite, where he spent the night sleeping under the stars on a large rock - I kid you not.
ReplyDeleteJohn's post is cracking me up! I say "like-en," too. Can't help Charles-Henri, but those are good questions. Love the photo--just great!
ReplyDeleteExcellent story John :-)
ReplyDeleteKen: if you have more than one species of lichen then you have lichens and they are all over the trees. If only one species, it is all over the tree.
I never say it!
ReplyDeletem.
Nice blog. Found you via Ken's blog.
ReplyDelete-nicolette
http://www.simplycolette.blogspot.com
http://www.photographygetaways.com
When I read it, I pronounced it as LITCH-EN, but I had no idea what it was and simply sounded it out.
ReplyDeleteWow! Who knew that lichens would provide so much fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks to transport bulgaria, sharon north, and simply colette for stopping by (I think this is the first time you've commented here)!
john, I hope your friend's son's friend's last name isn't Moss...
mark, no Lord of the Rings and you never say "lichen." You need to get out more. ;)
We have a lot of lichen in our wood. We have ivy too and it is a pain keeping it off the house. It will actually pop the siding off if left unattended. I'll try the vinegar and soap method of killing it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture.
Hi Walt, Just thought I'd let you know here in Scotland we pronounce lichen- wait for it, Lie-kin, so many variations,
ReplyDeleteLoving your site and all your beautiful photos, and callie
Patricia