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Lichen

Lichens ( /ˈlaɪkən/, sometimes /ˈlɪtʃən/) are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus (the mycobiont) with a photosynthetic partner (the photobiont or phycobiont), usually either a green alga (commonly Trebouxia) or cyanobacterium (commonly Nostoc). The morphology, physiology and biochemistry of lichens are very different from those of the isolated fungus and alga in culture. Lichens occur in some of the most extreme environments on Earth—arctic tundra, hot deserts, rocky coasts, and toxic slag heaps. However, they are also abundant as epiphytes on leaves and branches in rain forests and temperate woodland, on bare rock, including walls and gravestones, and on exposed soil surfaces (e.g., Collema) in otherwise mesic habitats. Lichens are widespread and may be long-lived; however, many are also vulnerable to environmental disturbance, and may be useful to scientists in assessing the effects of air pollution, ozone depletion, and metal contamination. Lichens have also been used in making dyes and perfumes, as well as in traditional medicines.

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A natural dye obtained from lichens may combat Alzheimer's disease

A red dye derived from lichens that has been used for centuries to color fabrics and food appears to reduce the abundance of small toxic protein aggregates in Alzheimer's disease. The dye, a compound called orcein, and a ...

Medicine & Health / Research

created Dec 02, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Rutgers professor uses lichen to help cities go green

In this era of environmental consciousness, many buildings are being outfitted to "go green." A Rutgers-Camden professor is taking the term quite literally.

Space & Earth / Environment

created Oct 25, 2011 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Experts urge protected areas to save Canada caribou

Canada needs to create large protected areas of woodlands to help save caribou from the threat of extinction, scientists and environmentalists said Wednesday.

Biology / Ecology

created Jul 13, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Lichens may aid in combating deadly chronic wasting disease in wildlife

Certain lichens can break down the infectious proteins responsible for chronic wasting disease (CWD), a troubling neurological disease fatal to wild deer and elk and spreading throughout the United States and Canada, according ...

Medicine & Health / Research

created May 18, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Lichen evolved on two tracks, like marsupials and mammals

Lichen, those drab, fuzzy growths found on rocks and trees, aren't as cuddly and charismatic as kangaroos or intriguing as opossums, but they could be a fungal equivalent, at least evolutionarily.

Biology / Plants & Animals

created May 02, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Study finds remarkable diversity of lichen species in Florida state park

If you seek America's most diverse, densely packed human population, head for New York's Manhattan, but if it's lichens you fancy instead of people, then Southwestern Florida is your best bet.

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Mar 24, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

New paper reveals 100 new species of lichenized fungi

In an unprecedented coming-out party, 100 newly discovered species are revealed to the world in a single scholarly paper coordinated by Field Museum scientists.

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Feb 14, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

At the fungal farmer's market, only the best cyanobacteria are for sale

Lichens are the classic example of a symbiotic relationship. Both the fungal and photobiont components of the lichen benefit from the relationship and often are unable to survive without each other. Recent ...

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Aug 21, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

UC Riverside researcher names lichen after President Barack Obama

A researcher at UC Riverside has discovered a new species of lichen - a plant-like growth that looks like moss or a dry leaf - and named it after President Barack Obama.

Biology / Other

created Apr 15, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 1