LICHENS 



All lichens have a starting point of growth. From this 

 they spread on all sides in the form of a circle. Some- 

 times the central part is dead while the edge is growing. 

 This part of the plant takes the nourishment from the 

 air. 



If you examine the leafy lichens, you will see curious 

 round disks or shields of a different color from the rest 

 of the plant. The spores are within the disks. When 



Lichen Attached by a Single 

 Knotlike Root in the Cen- 

 ter. 



Lichens Attached Closely to 

 the Rock, or the Bark of 

 the Tree. 



the entire shield is wet, the part that holds the spores 

 becomes bulged out above and causes a pressure which 

 finally bursts the spore cases. Then the spores are 

 scattered. If you examine the spore cases of some 

 lichens with a magnifying glass you will be surprised 

 at their beauty. They are generally oval in shape. 

 Some are bright red or a golden yellow; others are deep 

 blue, green, olive, or brown. 



Many lichens never produce spores in this way. In- 



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