Miles J. Berkeley's lichenological interests

Abstract

Berkeley is not generally thought of as a lichenologist, but as befi ts any true mycological polymath he did not pass lichens by. He wrestled with their defi nition and classifi cation, and in the 1850s appreciated that the only difference was what we now know as the algal or cyanobacterial partners - way ahead of his contemporaries and the publication of the ‘dual hypothesis’ in 1868. He was fascinated by the circular growth of lichens and recognized the great age colonies could achieve (foreshadowing the birth of lichenometry), pondered any damaging role they might have to leaves and trees, and was intrigued by the wandering manna lichens (occasioning some challenges to his religious convictions). Further, he was a pioneer in describing novel lichenicolous fungi, including some of the most widespread fungal pathogens of lichens. His views in these areas are compared and contrasted with current knowledge, and the name Dothidea hymeniicola Berk. & Broome is reported as referring to an unrecognized species of Endococcus.