A lichen (do you say LY-kən or LITCH-ən???) is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi species in a mutualistic relationship, where each organism gains benefits from the other. Lichens are important forces in nutrient cycling and act as producers which many higher trophic feeders feed on, such as reindeer, gastropods, nematodes, mites, and springtails.
Lichens have properties different from those of their component organisms. They come in many colours, sizes, and forms and are sometimes plant-like, but are not plants. They may have tiny, leafless branches (fruticose); flat leaf-like structures (foliose); grow crust-like, adhering tightly to a surface (substrate) like a thick coat of paint (crustose); have a powder-like appearance (leprose); or other growth forms.
This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.
Ly ken is how I pronounce it because in microbiology classes in university lol
ReplyDeleteI joined a Facebook group on lichen hoping to get an ID on some of mine, but no luck so far...Michelle
ReplyDeleteFascinating! Thank you so much for joining us this week at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2023/08/a-foggy-morning-on-kanawha-river-in.html
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