Lichens

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most cannot survive in industrial air pollution. There are notable exceptions, however: in England, for example, Lecanora conizaeoides is actually confined to areas of high pollution.
The body of the lichen, the thallus, has three basic growth forms. These forms are crustose, foliose, and fruticose. Each form is adapted to live under different moisture conditions. The crustose resemble a crust that has become attached to a surface and are well suited to dry areas. Foliose, or leafy, need much greater amounts of water. Some of them even grow on rocks in streams. Fruticose thrive in humid regions, where they are able to absorb water from the air. In desolate areas, when growth conditions are at their best and there is little competition, will expand over vast areas. have a peculiar and effective method of reproducing. Upon the surface of the body there are often minute granules that give it a dusty appearance. Each of these granules, called soredia, consists of a few cells of ...

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