What is a LICHEN, please? Per WIKIPEDIA: A lichen is a composite organism that arises from algae and/or cyanobacteria living among filaments of a fungus in a symbiotic relationship.The combined life form has properties that are very different from the properties of its component organisms. Lichens come in many colours, sizes, and forms. The properties are sometimes plant-like, but lichens are not plants. Lichens may have tiny, leafless branches (fruticose), flat leaf-like structures (foliose), flakes that lie on the surface like peeling paint (crustose), or other growth forms. End WIKIPEDIA.

We find the diversity of lichens fascinating. They grow in some of the most extreme and harsh conditions on the earth. Yet some forms of lichens are very sensitive to pollution and have even been used as testing devices of air quality. There are lichens that need no surface at all to grow on but blow around at the will of the wind. Wikipedia mentions that roughly 6% of the EARTH is covered by lichens.

Here are a few of the lichens that we have found in our wanders.