Photo of moss

Many of us, seeing lichens, often confuse them with moss. They seem so similar. But from the point of view of science - lichens do not belong to this species. It is true that scientists themselves used to classify lichens as lower primitive plants, but after they discovered how their bodies are arranged, the attitude towards lichens changed. They were singled out as a separate species, although it is still believed that they still have a lot of secrets. Lichens are a symbiosis of fungus and algae, the fungus forms the basis of the lichen's body, and algae cells are contained inside. In general, there are more than twenty thousand subspecies of lichens.

Yellow, gray, brown, white and black formations can be seen on tree trunks and branches, stones and rocks, and sometimes on the ground. Some resemble crusts and growths, others - fragile leaves or bushes.