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Lichens A lichen is a symbiosis between a fungus and an alga (cyanobacterium or green alga). The fungal components of most lichens are ascomycetes, and a few are basidiomycetes. Because lichens are associations of two organisms from different kingdoms, they do not readily fit into our species-based classification scheme. Lichens are often classified into three morphological types: crustose (crusty), foliose (leafy) and fruiticose (branched). The lichens provide an excellent example of the difficulties and limitations of phylogenetic classification. They also remind us that nature is remarkably complex. Above: Crustose lichens Above: Fruticose lichens Above: Foliose lichens The fungal thallus provides a protected, moist environment for the green alga or cyanobacterium. Meanwhile, the alga or bacterium helps support the fungus through photosynthetic food production. Lichens occur in some of the harshest terrestrial environments.

          Lichens

A lichen is a symbiosis between a fungus and an alga (cyanobacterium or green alga). The fungal components of most lichens are ascomycetes, and a few are basidiomycetes. Because lichens are associations of two organisms from different kingdoms, they do not readily fit into our species-based classification scheme. Lichens are often classified into three morphological types: crustose (crusty), foliose (leafy) and fruiticose (branched). The lichens provide an excellent example of the difficulties and limitations of phylogenetic classification. They also remind us that nature is remarkably complex.

Above: Crustose lichens

Above: Fruticose lichens

Above: Foliose lichens

The fungal thallus provides a protected, moist environment for the green alga or cyanobacterium. Meanwhile, the alga or bacterium helps support the fungus through photosynthetic food production. Lichens occur in some of the harshest terrestrial environments.

Lichens

A lichen is a symbiosis between a fungus and an alga (cyanobacterium or green alga). The fungal components of most lichens are ascomycetes, and a few are basidiomycetes. Because lichens are associations of two organisms from different kingdoms, they do not readily fit into our species-based classification scheme. Lichens are often classified into three morphological types: crustose (crusty), foliose (leafy) and fruiticose (branched). The lichens provide an excellent example of the difficulties and limitations of phylogenetic classification. They also remind us that nature is remarkably complex.

Above: Crustose lichens

Above: Fruticose lichens

Above: Foliose lichens

The fungal thallus provides a protected, moist environment for the green alga or cyanobacterium. Meanwhile, the alga or bacterium helps support the fungus through photosynthetic food production. Lichens occur in some of the harshest terrestrial environments.

Added by Wendy W.

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