365Caws is now in its 14th year of publication, and was originally intended to end after 365 days. It has sometimes been difficult for me to find new material, particularly during the winter months, but now as I enter my own twilight years, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to provide daily posts. It is my hope that along the way I may have inspired someone to a greater curiosity about the natural world. If so, I can rest, content in the knowledge that my work here has been done.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Pelt Rhizines
Day 85: While the discussion of pelt lichens is still fresh in my readers' minds, I thought another view of Membranous Dog-Lichen might be appreciated. If you thought their top sides were strange, this is what you would see if you turned one over. These threadlike structures are called rhizines, and they serve as roots to attach the lichen to wood or rock. Like any other root, the rhizines allow the organism to draw nutrients from the substrate.
Don't forget to stick a magnifier in your pocket the next time you go out for a nature walk! You never know what you might find.
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