Lichens

symbiotic association of a fungus and one or more algae

the relations between two different organisms that both benefit from each other

relation between two different organisms, one receives benefits from the other without damaging it

the relation between two organisms in which one receives benefits from the other by causing damage to it

Algae reproduces entirely by cell division.

Fungus forms “fruiting bodies” and releases spores from apothecia or perithecia.

Only rarely does a germinating spore capture an algal cell to form a lichen

Most lichens reproduce vegetatively: soredia, isidia and thallus fragments

Algal partners will also occur alone in nature

Nearly all the fungal partners are restricted to their lichen occurrence

Lichen taxonomy is based on the fungus present

Pioneer organisms of hostile environments

Soil formation and soil protection

Air pollution indicators

Lichenometry

Food source, especially in the polar regions

Extracted pigments used as dyes

chemical composition

moisture-holding capacity

temperature

means growing on rock

means growing on bark

means growing on soil

its based on appearance rather than based on fungal partner

means crusty

means leafy

means stalked

crustose lichens (crusty)

foliose lichens (leafy)

fruticose lichens (stalked)

beard lichen

british soilder lichen

disk lichen

goblet lichen

lung lichen

map lichen

pagoda lichen

powder horn lichen

reindeer lichen

sheild lichen

smooth rock tripe lichen