Fruticose lichens

Definition

Fruticose lichens are a type of lichen characterized by their bushy, branched, and often shrub-like appearance. They attach to substrates at a single point and can grow vertically or pendulously.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Fruticose lichens have a three-dimensional structure, which distinguishes them from crustose and foliose lichens.
2. They play an important role in ecosystems by contributing to soil formation and nitrogen fixation.
3. Fruticose lichens are sensitive indicators of air quality due to their high surface area-to-volume ratio, making them susceptible to pollutants.
4. Reproduction in fruticose lichens can occur sexually through the production of ascospores or asexually via soredia or isidia.
5. Common examples include Cladonia rangiferina (reindeer moss) and Usnea species (old man's beard).

Review Questions

• What structural characteristic differentiates fruticose lichens from other types of lichens?
• How do fruticose lichens contribute to their ecosystems?
• Why are fruticose lichens considered good indicators of air quality?

Related terms

Crustose Lichens: Lichens that form a thin, crust-like layer tightly adhered to substrates.

Foliose Lichens: Lichens with leaf-like structures that are loosely attached to their substrate.

Symbiosis:

A close and often long-term interaction between two different biological species.