Allelopathic effect of crustaceous lichens on epiphytic bryophytes and vascular plants

Observations in the field revealed that crustaceous lichens seemed to inhibit the growth of epiphytic bryophytes and possibly also of vascular epiphytes. Therefore experiments were performed to test the effect of extracts of crustaceous lichens and bark samples on the germination of spores of the mosses Ceratodon purpureus and Funaria hygrometrica as well on seeds of Vriesea splendens (Bromeliaceae) and Lepidium sativum (Brassicaceae). The results show that extracts of the crustaceous lichens Cryptotheca sp. and Pertusaria sp, inhibit the germination of spores and seeds. Extracts of bark samples reduce the germination rate of Vriesea but promote the germination of Lepidium.