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any of a group of composite organisms made up of a fungus and one or more algae or cyanobacteria, forming a symbiotic association.
Symbiotic relationship
The fungus protects the alga from drying and from harsh conditions; the alga synthesizes and secretes carbohydrate that is taken up and utilized as food by the fungus.
Scientific Classification
Lichens are classified according to the type of fungal component (called the mycobiont). ascolichen = Ascomycetes basidiolichen = Basidiomycetes
The algal component (called the photobiont) green alga such as Trebouxia or Coccomyxa, or a cyanobacterium such as Nostoc or Scytonema.
CRUSTOSE LICHEN
compressed in forms and strongly attached to the substrate
Foliose Lichen
Leaf-like lichens
Fruticose
Stalked lichens
Reproduction
soredium, composed of a tuft of fungal hyphae surrounding one or more algal cells.
As food
Iceland moss, a bushlike lichen native to alpine and Arctic regions, has been used as food by human beings.
Economic Importance
A desert species, which can be blown away by the wind because it is only loosely attached, may be the manna described in the Bible. Species: Lecanora esculenta.
As source of litmus
In the past, lichens have been used in dyeing and as a source of litmus, the acid-alkaline indicator. genus Variolaria, and used in chemistry to determine the presence of acids and bases in a solution.