Lacy Lichen

Looking like lacy clumps of snow this lichen is lined up on a tree branch. It was irresistible not to touch---it doesn't feel as fuzzy as it looks. Some lichen can cause dermatitis for some people---so beware.    

Winter's Flowers

Tiny lichen flowering on a tree brighten up the winter forest.

Pattern of Nature

Relieving the winter grays and browns, this turkey tail lichen appears in great patches in the winter woods bringing rich colors and patterns into the drab.

Lichen and Moss

A moss covered lichen is a combination of two interesting organisms.

The lichen is neither completely a fungus nor completely a plant---but a combination of the two with cells of both.

The moss lives upon the lichen and yet is not living off of the lichen like a parasite would.

Fascinating organisms---the two.     

Fungus

The recent rain we have had has left us with several new mushrooms and lichens popping up in the parks.

This part of Indiana grows some interesting and magical looking fungus.

I enjoy looking at fungus but identification is difficult and dangerous if you make an error. Some fungus is very irritating to even touch. So it is pretty to look at and, unless you are an expert, just looking is best.