A Liking for Lichens

Like many wives, I got a nice valentine from my husband today.  A big bouquet of roses? Nope. Something even better! A sweet little book called Lichens of the North Woods by  Joe Walewski. I guess my hubby must take a "lichen" to  me.  (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)  Actually, there is a kind of "sexy" aspect to the lichen's story.  As Walewski states: "Lichens are . . . a cooperative venture between as many as three organisms: fungus, alga , and cyanobacteria."  Whoo! A menage a trois!  I can't wait to read more about them.

One of the great things about lichens is that you can find them all year long.  If I go out to the river tomorrow I could still see the same lichens I photographed last spring and summer.  So many shapes and colors!  Much more variety than in any heart-shaped  box of chocolates. And now I have a guidebook to take with me so I'll know what to call them.

Top to bottom are (my best guesses from looking at the book): Reindeer Lichen (Cladina mitis) (with polypody fern), Lipstick Powderhorn (Cladonia macilenta), and Common Greenshield Lichen (Flavoparmelia caperata).  Aren't they as pretty as any florist's bouquet?