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lichen
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lichen reindeer lichen Close-up of Parmelia sulcata lichen growing in irregular patches on rough, dark tree bark. Cluster of British soldiers lichen (Cladonia cristatella) with pale green stalks topped by bright red caps growing on mossy wood. niche The Botanize Podcast logo features the word Botanize! in bold white letters on a green background with black line drawings of various plants, ferns, mushrooms, and a leaf. The Encyclopaedia Britannica emblem and name appear at the bottom.
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lichen
lichen Xanthoparmelia lavicola, a foliose lichen on basalt.

lichen

symbiotic organism
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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lichen, any of about 15,000 species of plantlike organisms that consist of a symbiotic association of algae (usually green) or cyanobacteria and fungi (mostly ascomycetes and basidiomycetes). Lichens are found worldwide and occur in a variety of environmental conditions. A diverse group of organisms, they can colonize a wide range of surfaces and are frequently found on tree bark, exposed rock, and as a part of biological soil crust. Lichens have been used by humans...

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