Lichen Display

A lichen is a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga. The composite organism behaves as a single independent. plant. The algal component produces food by means of photosynthesis and the fungus makes up the bulk of the lichen body. This is a specimen of Lobaria quercizans, which is commonly found with moss on the trunks of older trees in the region. At its widest point, this specimen is 54 cm and may quite possibly be the largest known for this species.

Gift of Shelly Barnes (collector) and Leroy Shepard
Central Aroostook High School