Lichens - resourceful survivors (macro photography)

Many people assume that the little guys belong to the plants, although in fact they belong in the group of fungi. And even this affiliation is not quite correct. Strictly speaking, they are something in between a fungus and one or more algae. Since fungi do not perform photosynthesis and algae alone cannot extract minerals or water from underground, the two have unceremoniously merged to form a new life form, lichens. What one cannot do, the other simply does - as in any good partnership. This creates a perfect symbiosis. And it's so perfect that they can have an age of about 100 years...isn't that amazing? Well the circumstances have to be good but that number is still amazing...

Well, I think it's still okay if I post some photos of them here in this community...because they are still mushrooms, somehow....
Anyway, I'll just show you some really amazing macro shots...

The yellow lichen (Xanthoria parietina):
This is the most popular and the most widespread lichen...
Because it's more durable than the others so it can grow even in the city...

But of course you have got a lot more...in all imaginable colors:

a light green-yellow

a gey and yellow mix

and of course also in all sizes and shapes...

and even some symbioses of several types...

Additionally there are about 25000 types worldwide...wow...

But that's it again... I hope you liked my post and learned something new...thanks and Cu next time...and please let me kn ow if you liked my photos...
-Hive on

and by the way: I captured the photos in my garden...