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Lichens
Lichens
Learn about how to identify lichen from a Wolf Ridge Naturalist by watching this video.
What is lichen?
What is lichen?
Lichen is a combination of fungus, algae, and bacteria. The fungus creates the structure and the algae produces the food and together they live as lichen. This is a symbiotic relationship because the fungus and algae need each other to live.
Looking for Lichen
Looking for Lichen
Lichen is a plant-like organism that grows on trees and rocks. Over 750 species of lichen live in Minnesota and come in a variety of colors like green, yellow, orange, red, and white. Lichen is easy to spot on trees, but don’t worry, the lichen is not hurting the tree, it just lives on top of the bark.
Why is lichen important?
Why is lichen important?
Lichen love clean air and die quickly if there is high air pollution. Scientists use lichen as a bioindicator to determine the air quality of an area. This means if there is lichen on trees, the air quality in that area is good.
3 Main Types of Lichen
3 Main Types of Lichen
Crustose- crusty and flat. Usually red, yellow and orange in color.
Foliose- leaf-like in shape with thin roots to anchor them
Fruticose- bushy, looks like miniature shrubs
Challenge: Lichen Hunting!
Challenge: Lichen Hunting!
Now head outside and look for lichen. It can grow in unexpected places- like on this old clothesline.
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