Post Twenty

The nettles and elder growing here suggest the soil has high levels of the plant foods nitrate and phosphate.

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Elder bears flowers in spring and dark berries in autumn. Its bark often supports lichens, which are made up of a fungus and an alga living together.

The alga is a plant so it can make sugars which are used by the fungus and help the lichen grow. Can you find any lichens? Look on thin twigs for the bright orange/yellow of Xanthoria parietina.

After windy weather look on larger fallen branches for different lichen species.

Two Lichens - Xanthoria Parientina and Parmelia

Two Lichens - Xanthoria Parientina and Parmelia

Continue on to Old Perry Street car park.

Well done! You have completed the Acorn Trail!

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