The frayed ramalina (ramalina roesleri) is the clear winner in a poll to determine a lichen emblem for Prince Edward Island.
Following a public campaign and an online and mail-in vote conducted by Nature P.E.I., it was the top choice indicated in 381 ballots cast. Voting closed on April 25 (see naturepei.ca).
This native species is recognized as a hardy Islander that will live up to its role as a provincial emblem.
“I've always thought it was an amazing lichen – it can withstand the stress of being on the coast with salt and strong wind, but also likes more sheltered areas," says Frances Anderson, co-author of Common Lichens of Eastern North America.
Nature P.E.I. has forwarded the people’s lichen choice to Natalie Jameson, minister of environment, water and climate change, who is responsible for wildlife. It is requested that she submit the frayed ramalina to the legislature in a proposed amendment of the Provincial Emblems and Honours Act. If approved it could be among the first official lichen emblems in Canada.
Lichen supporters in all Canadian provinces and territories are working toward their own lichen emblems, and a recent public vote in Canada determined that the star-tipped reindeer lichen (cladonia stellaris) was the choice of Canadians for a national lichen emblem.
A designated lichen emblem of Prince Edward Island would stand alongside the existing provincial floral, avian, animal, sylvan (tree) and soil emblems. The lady’s slipper became the floral emblem in 1947 and the blue jay joined the family in 1977. The red oak was selected in 1987 and the Charlottetown series was approved as the provincial soil in 1997. The red fox became an animal emblem in 2018.
