The main difference between foliose and fruticose lichen is that foliose lichen is a flat-shaped broad, smooth, and leaf-like structure, whereas fruticose lichen is a thin and freely branched lichen.
Foliose and fruticose lichen are two types of lichens that grow abundantly in various places, including walls, rocks, tree barks, roofs, and gravestones.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Foliose Lichen
– Definition, Structure, Importance
2. What is Fruticose Lichen
– Definition, Structure, Importance
3. Similarities Between Foliose and Fruticose Lichen
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Foliose and Fruticose Lichen
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Foliose Lichen, Fruticose Lichen
What is Foliose Lichen
A foliose lichen is a form of a complex organism that arises from a symbiotic relationship between fungi and a photosynthetic partner that is typically an alga. The main feature of the above relationship is the ability to live in diverse climates that range from dry to wet mountains to cold to warm valleys. Another important feature of these lichens is their slow growth which rates 0.01/27 mm per year. Generally, the lifespan of the lichen is between 30 to 60 years.
Figure 1: Foliose Lichen
Moreover, the lower cortex of the foliose lichen contains hyphae that attach the lichen to the surface. In addition, the small root-like structures that occur in the hyphae are the rhizines. The main body part of the foliose lichen is the thallus, which is made of the cortex and medulla. In foliose lichens, the cortex of the lichen contains photosynthetic cells. The medulla of the foliose lichen makes up the bulk of the thallus of the lichen, and it allows gas exchange. The main characteristic features of the foliose lichens include the leafy thallus that is flattened, the medulla, and the cortex.
What is Fruticose Lichen
A fruticose lichen is a form of lichen classified by a coral-like, shrubby structure. These lichens have bushy growth structures. It is a symbiotic relationship of a photobiont, such as green algae or cyanobacteria, with one or more microbiont. Therefore, these types of lichens are composite organisms. In addition, fruticose lichens are a complex vegetation structure. Its main characteristics include ascending and pendulous or bushy appearance. Another important feature of fruticose lichen is the presence of high degrees of desiccation. In addition, it occurs in habitats such as tree barks, rock surfaces, and soil. Fruticose lichen generally grows slowly.
Figure 2: Fruticose Lichen
Furthermore, fruticose lichen is composed of a bushy or shrubby thallus along with a holdfast. Therefore, the vegetative body of the fruticose lichen is the thallus. The vegetative body of the fruticose lichen does not contain true leaves, stems, and roots. The main determinant features of the color of the fruticose lichen include the type of algae in the lichen, the characters of the fungal hyphae, the types of compounds produced by the lichen, as well as the amount of light and water in the environment.
Similarities Between Foliose and Fruticose Lichen
- Foliose and fruticose lichens are two types of lichens that are terrestrial organisms.
- They grow abundantly in various places, including walls, rocks, tree barks, roofs, and gravestones.
- Lichens are symbiotic associations between fungi and algae.
- Generally, lichens occur as tiny branchlets and flat, leaf-like structures with a powder-like appearance.
- They occur in different colors, shapes, forms, and sizes.
- Moreover, they occurred 400 million years ago.
- They require a fresh environment with adequate air for growth and development.
- Both types of lichens are terricolous, and therefore, they occur in climbing trees.
Difference Between Foliose and Fruticose Lichen
Definition
Foliose lichen refers to having a leaflike thallus loosely attached to a surface, as certain lichens, while fruticose lichen refers to a form of lichen fungi that is characterized by a coral-like shrubby or bushy growth structure.
Shape
Foliose lichen is flat, leaf-like, and irregular-lobed, while fruticose lichen is much branched and like a bush.
Substratum
Moreover, foliose lichen has rhizoid-like outgrowth to attach to the surface, while fruticose lichen has flattened-like discs to attach to the surface.
Examples
Foliose lichens are Physica, Parmelia, Peltigera, etc., while fruticose lichens are Evernia, Cladonia, and Usnea.
Conclusion
In brief, foliose and fruticose lichen are two types of lichens that are terrestrial organisms. Both lichens grow on trees. Generally, foliose lichens are flat, leaf-like, and have irregular lobes. They have rhizoid-like outgrowths to attach the lichen to the surface. In addition, examples of foliose lichens are Physica, Parmelia, and Peltigera. In comparison, fruticose lichens are much branched, and they are like a bush. On the other hand, they have flattened-like discs to attach to the surface. Some examples of fruticose lichens are Evernia, Cladonia, and Usnea. However, the main difference between foliose and fruticose lichen is the shape of the lichen.
References:
- “Foliose lichen.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation.
- “Fruticose lichen.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
- “Flavoparmelia caperata – lichen – Caperatflechte” By Norbert Nagel– Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Letharia vulpina JHollinger crop” By Jason Hollinger – Own Work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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