Lichen are neither plant nor fungus, but rather a symbiotic (cooperative) partnership between the two. Each species of lichen contains a unique pair of a mycobiont (fungal partner) and a photobiont (algae or cyanobacteria partner).
Lichen are found throughout the world and will grow on the ground, rocks and trees. They can grow in incredibly harsh environments. There are even marine (salt water) lichens!
Lichens produce a variety of colored pigments, resulting in a host of pinks, reds, yellows, oranges and greens (As well as whites, grays and blacks...)
The lichen shown in the above picture is an Elegant Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria elegans). It grows on sun exposed rocks that have been fertilized by birds or mammals.
