SafePlants

Lichens: A Colorful World

Lichens, often overlooked, represent a fascinating symbiotic partnership between fungi and algae. These organisms can display a remarkable array of colors, including orange, gray-green, bright yellow, brown, slate blue, and black, adding visual interest to various environments.

Considerations for Children

• Some lichens are brightly colored (e.g., orange, yellow, red).
• Lichens can grow on various surfaces like rocks, trees, and gravestones.

Distribution and Habitat

• Lichens are found in diverse environments, from the Piedmont region of North Carolina to the Southern Appalachians and even urban areas.
• They can grow on trees, rocks (including tombstones), and even zinc-enriched soil under electricity pylons.
• Specific locations mentioned include:
  • Orange County, North Carolina
  • Chatham County, North Carolina
  • Carolina Beach State Park, North Carolina
  • Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina

Morphological Characteristics

• Lichens can exhibit different growth forms, including crust-like, leaf-like, and stringy (e.g., Oakmoss lichen).
• Some species have bright orange cups on the surface where spores are produced.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Examples of specific lichens mentioned include:
  • Caloplaca alcarum (Orange Lichen)
  • Caloplaca celata (Orange Lichen)
  • Caloplaca adnexa (orange lichen)
  • Caloplaca cerina (orange lichen)
  • Teloschistes exilis (Orange bush lichen)
  • Teloschistes flavicans (golden lichen)
  • Gymnoderma lineare (Rocky Gnome Lichen)
  • Xanthoria candelaria (orange eutrophic lichen)
  • Usnea strigosa (Old Man's Beard lichen)
  • Evernia prunastri (Oakmoss lichen)
  • Flavoparmelia caperata (Texas shield lichen)

Ecological Role

• Lichens are used as bioindicators of air pollution, reflecting the health of the environment.
• They can play a role in trapping moisture on surfaces like gravestones, potentially contributing to their weathering.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Lichens are a symbiotic association between algae and fungi.
• The text mentions observations of lichens alongside spiders and a Crabronid wasp.

Quirky Facts

• The yellow powder on the surface of some lichens is collected and sorted to produce a range of colors from bright orange to yellow to green.
• Lichens growing on gravestones can be harmless and contribute to the stones' appearance.

Further Resources

• Brodo et al. (2001) and Orange et al. (2001) are cited in relation to lichen study methods.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture is mentioned in connection with the Texas distribution of a lichen.
• DHEC's website is referenced for learning more about air quality in South Carolina.