Crustose Lichens

5 November 2005

Lichens come in three basic forms: crustose (like a crust), foliose (leaf-like), and fruticose (shrub-like, but in miniature), but have been grouped into up to seven artificial groups.

Crustose lichens are found on all substrate types: bark, soil, rocks, other lichens, mosses, with variations or stratification of such habitats.

Below are some information and photographs of various crustose lichens, almost all unidentified at this point, that occur in a wide range of habitats. They range in color wildly, and contribute to the biodiversity.   Some photos will have more than one lichen species, so look carefully.

All photos copyrighted by David L. Magney 2003-2007.