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April 11, 2024While travelling in the forest, on a rainy day, you must have noticed some patches on the tree trunk, rocks, etc. They are called Lichens. Lichens can be found in many colours, sizes, and forms that grow in less polluted areas. In this article, we will know about the different types of lichens and their economic importance.
Lichens are symbiotic associations between algae and fungi. The algal component (autotrophic) is called phycobiont and the fungal component (heterotrophic) is called mycobiont.
Lichens are found in less polluted areas. They grow on the barren rock, wood log, tree trunk, soil, abandoned walls, etc. Some of them are found in aquatic habitats. Lichens can grow from sea level to high alpine elevations and can grow on almost any surface and in many environmental conditions.
Depending on the habitat, some terms are used to describe these lichens:
Term | Description and example |
Saxicolous | Growing on rocks, like Dermatocarpon. |
Terricolous | Growing on soil, like Cladonia. |
Corticolous | Growing on tree bark, like Usnea. |
Lichens vary in colour like orange, brown, dark brown, grey, yellowish-green, etc. Based on their morphology, lichens can be of various types:
Crustose: These lichens are crust-like, closely attached to the substratum, e.g., Graphis, Lecanora.
Leprose: These are like minute scales attached superficially to the substratum, e.g., Lepraria.
Foliose: These are like twisted and wrinkled leaves, e.g., Parmelia, Physcia.
Fruticose: These are branched, erect with bushy appearance, e.g., Evernia, Ramalina, Usnea.
Filamentous: These lichens consist of chains of algal cells wrapped around by fungal hyphae, e.g., Racodium.
Some of the important uses of lichens are as follows:
Do you know?
Lichens are a symbiotic association between phycobiont and mycobionts. The algal partner performs the photosynthesis and the fungal partner provides shelter and is engaged in reproduction. Lichens may reproduce vegetatively or sexually. They grow in the least polluted area and are considered a good pollution indicator. Various lichens are useful in producing medicines. Lichens also help in understanding the process of biological succession by the ecologists.
Q.1. What are the three types of lichens?
Ans: The three types of lichens are crustose, foliose, and fruticose.
Q.2. What exactly is lichen?
Ans: Lichens are symbiotic associations between algae and fungi.
Q.3. Are lichens harmful to humans?
Ans: Yes, some lichens are harmful to humans because they contain certain toxic chemicals like vulpinic acid which are released into the air and water that are poisonous.
Q.4. Where is a lichen found?
Ans: They grow on the barren rock, wood log, tree trunk, soil, abandoned walls, etc. Some of them are found in aquatic habitats.
Q.5. Are lichens ecologically important?
Ans: Yes, lichens are ecologically very important from two different perspectives. Lichens are very good pollution indicators and they are the pioneer community to initiate ecological succession.
Q.6. Are lichens fragile?
Ans: Yes, lichens are fragile when they become completely dry and brittle due to the loss of moisture.
Now that you are provided with all the necessary information about Lichens and we hope this detailed article is helpful to you. If you have any questions on Lichens, feel to post your comments in the comment box below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.