Day 37: Lichens such as the Usneas (collectively called "Old-Man's Beard" in common parlance) excel at conserving available moisture. The fibrils which comprise the thallus of these lichens maximize surface area, and their tangled web allows them to hold water drops for a longer period of time than smooth-surfaced leaves can achieve. Although they may appear to dry out during periods of low rainfall, morning dew and atmospheric moisture are sufficient to sustain them. When damp weather returns, they rehydrate quickly. Even in desert climates, certain lichens can thrive, but of course in the Pacific Northwest, you're at risk of being colonized if you hold still longer than five minutes.
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