Have you ever looked closely at the bumpy, colorful patches adorning trees and rocks on your hikes? Those might be lichens, fascinating and complex organisms that you might have overlooked entirely.
Lichens are everywhere, from your local park to your own backyard. But beyond their ubiquity, they play a vital role in the environment and offer a glimpse into a remarkable symbiotic relationship.
Despite their prevalence, many people walk right by lichens without a second glance. They might seem like simple, uninteresting growths, but if you take the time to look at them and understand what they are, they might just amaze you.
In this post, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of lichens, exploring what they are and how their unique partnership works, and take a look at their diverse forms (keep reading to see lots of photos!).
Meet the lichen.
What is a lichen?
Lichens are symbiotic composite organisms composed of multiple microbes. The microbes can vary, but always include a fungus and a photosynthetic (meaning it lives off of sunlight) microbe called a photobiont, which is either algae or cyanobacteria or both. The fungus protects the inner microbe(s), so what we actually see is the fungus, unless the lichen is wet, in which case, you can see through to the photobiont.
Symbiotic Relationship
These microbes live together in a symbiotic relationship. More specifically, they have a mutualistic relationship, meaning they both benefit from living together. The algae or cyanobacteria provides nutrients for the fungus, and the fungus provides water, nutrients, and protection for the algae or cyanobacteria.
Lichen fruiting bodies
But just wait. It gets better. In some species, when the fungus part of this partnership reproduces, it makes new structures, changing its appearance. These structures, called lichen fruiting bodies, can resemble mushrooms, saucers, or plungers.
Lichens are everywhere
My husband and I moved to Arkansas in March and the lichens have stood out to me more than ever before. When I take a walk, there they are. It’s sort of like when you decide you want to buy a certain car model and then you start seeing it everywhere. Throughout this post are photos of some of the different lichens I’ve spotted recently.
So, now that you’ve met the lichen, I hope that the next time you walk through the woods, you can appreciate the charm and complexity of these visible microbes painting the trees, rocks, and moss all around you.
Tag me next time you post a photo of a lichen on social media (@joyfulmicrobe on Twitter and @justineldees on Twitter and Instagram).
Learn more about lichens in my podcast interview with lichenologist Dr. Klara Scharnagl!
Want to take your kids on a lichen hunt? Be sure to grab my ebook, ‘Joyful Microbiology Activities,’ which has a lichen hunt and 9 other fun and simple microbiology activities you can do at home or in the classroom!
Travel Destinations for Microbe Lovers
