Crustose lichens

Definition

Crustose lichens are a type of lichen characterized by their crust-like, tightly adhering growth form. They grow flat against their substrate, such as rocks or tree bark, making them difficult to remove without damaging the substrate.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Crustose lichens have a thallus that is tightly attached to the substrate and cannot be removed without breaking.
2. They are often found in extreme environments, including arctic tundras and deserts.
3. The primary mode of reproduction for crustose lichens is via spores produced by the fungal partner.
4. These lichens play a significant role in bio-weathering by breaking down rocks into soil over time.
5. Crustose lichens are important bioindicators of air quality due to their sensitivity to atmospheric pollutants.

Related terms

foliose lichens:

Lichens with leaf-like lobes that are loosely attached to the substrate.

fruticose lichens:

Lichens with a shrubby or hair-like structure, often growing upright or hanging down.

symbiosis:

A close and often long-term interaction between two different biological species.