Sowing months
Jun–Jul
Sunlight
Grows on bark
Water
Rain only
Mature size
Crust on bark
First harvest
Years
Family
Parmeliaceae
Where it grows
ground
Good for
biodiversity, healing
Sow in
monsoon
Care
Cannot be cultivated; it grows only on unpolluted bark.
The lichen of the spice box — not planted, but a reason to keep old trees standing.
Growing it
Cannot be cultivated; it grows only on unpolluted bark.
What it is for
Dagad phool for masala; an indicator of clean air.