Foliose lichen

General Characters:
➢ Lichen is a thalloid organism composed of algae and fungi.
➢ Foliose lichen is a lichen with flat, leaf-shaped lobes that are generally not firmly bound
to the substrate they grow on.
➢ It is one of the three most common forms of lichen growth.
➢ They grow on trees and rocks in shade forest.

➢ Foliose lichens with cyanobacteria as photosynthetic partners are usually dark gray,
brown, or black.
➢ The reproduction of foliose lichens can occur either asexually or sexually.
➢ The absence of foliose lichens serves as an indicator of air pollution as it is very sensitive
to sulphur dioxide.
➢ Example: Parmelia
➢ Common Name: It is generally called Stone Flower, Pattharphool and Shilaapushpa in
India.
➢ Source: Understanding Lichens by Baron, George published by The Richmond
Publishing Co. Ltd. 1999