Lichen on a kiepersol stem

Lichens have provided the fungi on earth with an opportunity to enhance their feeding options and thus their survival and further evolution. About 20% of all fungi have gone the lichen route by growth alliances with algae in their adaptation history.

Lichen species are classified and named in terms of their fungus component. There are around 15000 species of lichen on earth (www.earthlife.net).