Lichen (Teloschistes chrysophthalmus) growing on a blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). Lichens are symbiotic organisms formed of a fungus and an alga that mu

---

Lichen (Teloschistes chrysophthalmus) growing on a blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). Lichens are symbiotic organisms formed of a fungus and an alga that mutually benefit one another. The alga is contained within the hyphae (filaments) of the fungus. They are therefore protected from harsh conditions, and in particular from dessication. The alga supplies the fungus with nutrients that it makes by photosynthesis. Lichens are usually found growing on stones and the bark of trees. This particular lichen is extremely rare and probably extinct in the British Isles. Photographed in France.

---

Size: 4961px × 3508px
Photo credit: © BOB GIBBONS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: alga, algae, biological, biology, blackthorn, botanical, botany, covering, france, fungi, fungus, growing, hypha, hyphae, lichen, lichens, mutualism, nature, plant, rare, symbiosis, symbiotic, tree