The ramalina is a genus of lichens with a typical shrubby structure, and is very different from the lichens we are used to seeing on walls, rocks and stones.

The genus consists of about 240 species, which are found widely in various habitats around the world.

About 200 species have been recorded locally. At least one species of ramalina can be found growing on trees at Buskett and the nearby valley of Girgenti. Instead of having the familiar circular shape, this species has shredded grey leaves stuck on to a branch or twig.

Some species of lichen are eaten regularly. While some are considered a delicacy, others are resorted to only in times of famine

Most lichens can be observed as coloured patches decorating stone or wood surfaces. Lichens are usually the first organisms to colonise bare surfaces.

They can survive in inhospitable environments because they can make the most out of two worlds. They consist of two organisms, a fungus and a green algae or a cyanobacterium living together symbiotically.

It was only in 1867 that the dual nature of lichens was discovered by Simon Schwender, a Swiss professor of botany who was director of the Botanical Gardens in Basel. His discovery was not immediately accepted as a number of leading lichenologists did not believe that a species could be made up of two different organisms.

Some species of lichen are eaten regularly. While some are considered a delicacy, others are resorted to only in times of famine. A particular type was cooked in Northern Europe as a bread, porridge and also eaten as a salad. Lichens have been used for centuries to produce dyes, especially red and purple.

They were also used as a sort of primitive antibiotics. Some of their compounds can reduce the effect of the sun’s harmful rays.

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