fungi on sever spines, is it harmful?

[CHADDYBIGGUMS]

I just got this cactus this week, it seems healthy, but upon closer investigation i found a fungus or something growing on several of the spines. Is this fungus harmful, is this a fungus at all? what action if any should i take against it? Thanks in advance!

cactus4.jpg (39.64 KiB) Viewed 898 times

cactus.jpg (35.5 KiB) Viewed 898 times

[hegar]

That is a foliicolous lichen, i.e. an alga-fungus symbiosis. These "plants" are not plant parasites and only interfere slightly with the growth of your cactus by reducing the photosynthesis process due to occupying surface area on your plant. You should be able to remove the growth without causing any measurable damage to your cactus.

Harald

[Steve Johnson]

That is a foliicolous lichen, i.e. an alga-fungus symbiosis. These "plants" are not plant parasites and only interfere slightly with the growth of your cactus by reducing the photosynthesis process due to occupying surface area on your plant. You should be able to remove the growth without causing any measurable damage to your cactus.

I've never seen lichen on a cactus before -- very interesting!

[Saxicola]

I've never seen lichen on a cactus before -- very interesting!

I mostly agree. It happens on older plants in the wild, but this is the first time I've seen it on a cultivated plant.

[adetheproducer]

I would leave it there, adds charactor and makes it look wild.

[iann]

Nicer than sooty mould