Share Your Discoveries in Kew!

Digital Interaction

• Kew Lichen Map (Online & App-based): An interactive map displaying the distribution of lichen species within Kew Gardens, updated with observations from staff and citizen scientists. Visitors can tap species icons to view high-resolution images, substrate type, pollution sensitivity, and ecological function.

• Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences: Using a mobile device, visitors can scan plaques or stones to reveal animated 3D models of lichen anatomy — showing fungal hyphae, algal cells, and reproductive structures.

• Real-Time Biomonitoring Dashboard: Displays environmental data (humidity, nitrogen levels, particulate matter) alongside lichen diversity indicators, linking visible biodiversity with invisible atmospheric processes.

Help document lichens growing inside the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Look closely at accessible tree bark, rocks, walls, paving and wooden surfaces. Record what you see and share a photograph together with the location. You do not need a species name to take part: “unidentified lichen” is a useful record.

Find Your Location on the Kew Map

Use the official Kew Gardens map to choose the garden area or nearest landmark. Add an exact description, GPS coordinates or a map pin. A broad area name alone may not be enough to find the same patch again.

Garden Areas

Aquatic Garden · Berberis Dell · Chinese Grove · Climate Changed Tree · Duke’s Garden · Giant Badger Sett · Grass Garden · Lake Crossing · Log Trail · Mediterranean Garden · Natural Area · Oak Collection · Palm House Parterre · Pinetum · Queen’s Garden · Redwood Grove · Rhododendron Dell · Rock Garden · Rose Garden · Waterlily Pond · Wild Rose Collection · Winter Garden · Woodland Garden · Woodland Glade

Landmarks and Other Recording Locations

Agius Evolution Garden · Carbon Garden · Edible Science: Kew’s Kitchen Garden · Great Broad Walk Borders · Great Pagoda · Kew Palace · Marianne North Gallery · Palm House · Princess of Wales Conservatory · Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art · Temperate House · The Children’s Garden · The Hive · Treetop Walkway · Woodland Walk · Davies Alpine House · Japanese Gateway · Minka House & Bamboo Garden · Queen Charlotte’s Cottage · Ruined Arch · Temple of Aeolus · Temple of Arethusa · Temple of Bellona · Waterlily House · The Orangery.

These names follow Kew’s official map and its labelled landmarks. They are location choices, not a checklist of surveyed lichen sites. For a path, avenue, entrance or another place, give its name and nearest landmark in your location details. Record exterior surfaces near buildings; enter only areas open to visitors.

What to Observe in Different Parts of Kew

Rock Garden and Davies Alpine House Surroundings

Examine accessible rock faces from permitted paths. Compare exposed surfaces with sheltered crevices. Record the rock type only if known, and note shade, moisture and surface orientation. Photograph the whole rock and the lichen close up.

Woodland, Tree Collections and Garden Trees

In the Natural Area, Woodland Garden, Woodland Glade, Pinetum, Oak Collection, Redwood Grove, Rhododendron Dell and other tree collections, inspect accessible trunks and low branches. Record the tree name from its label when available, the approximate height of the lichen and which side of the trunk it occupies.

Garden Borders and Open Landscapes

Around the Great Broad Walk Borders, Agius Evolution Garden, Carbon Garden and other garden areas, look at accessible bordering stones, nearby trees and established hard surfaces. Compare sunny and shaded positions without stepping into planting beds.

Historic Buildings, Temples and Stonework

Near Kew Palace, Queen’s Garden, the Great Pagoda, Japanese Gateway, temples and other historic features, observe permitted exterior surfaces from paths. Distinguish stone, brick and mortar where possible. Record the feature and the exact face or side. Leave every surface untouched.

Minka House, Bamboo Garden and Wooden Features

Observe accessible wood and nearby tree bark. Distinguish living bark from exposed or worked wood. For roofs and elevated surfaces, photograph only from ground level; do not climb or touch buildings.

Ponds, Lake Edges and the Lake Crossing

At accessible edges near Waterlily Pond, the lake and other water features, record nearby bark, stone or wood and its exposure to shade, splashing or dampness. Proximity to water alone does not show that a lichen is aquatic. Stay on permitted routes and away from unsafe edges.

A Useful Observation Record

Where: garden area, nearest landmark and an exact location or map pin.
When: date of observation.
Surface: tree bark, exposed wood, rock, brick, mortar, paving, soil, moss or another surface.
Appearance: growth form, colour, wet or dry condition and visible discs, pores or powdery patches.
Photographs: an overview showing the surface and a close view of the lichen. Add a scale if possible without disturbing it.
Identification: proposed species or genus, or “unidentified lichen”. Keep uncertain names provisional.

A hand lens can reveal useful details, but photographs do not always distinguish similar species. Some identifications need microscopy or chemical examination by a specialist. Keep your observations separate from explanations.

Submit Your Discovery

Use the Lichen Observation Record on this page to send a record from inside Kew Gardens. Submit one lichen patch per record. Include the garden area or landmark, add your observation details and attach a clear photograph. If you cannot use the form, email photographs and notes to iranlichen@gmail.com.

Observe lichens in place. Do not collect, scrape, wet, clean or apply chemicals to them. Follow garden access rules, stay off planting beds and avoid including identifiable visitors in photographs.

Map and Identification Resources

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Maps of Kew Gardens, general map, February 2026.
British Lichen Society. Studying Lichens.
Dobson, F.S. (2018). Lichens: An Illustrated Guide to the British and Irish Species. 7th edition, reprint. Richmond Publishing.
Smith, C.W. et al. (eds) (2009). The Lichens of Great Britain and Ireland. British Lichen Society.