Day 120: You have only to walk through the forest to experience parallel universes and alien civilizations. Bizarrely shaped creatures occupy every rotting stump and march across the duff in vast armies. If you think giraffes and octopi are odd, bend down and make the acquaintance of a family of bryophytes or better yet, a colony of Cladonia lichens like those shown here. Like the other creatures which populate the Earth, these fascinating plants have evolved their peculiar structures to adapt to their environments in a manner which allows them to take advantage of moisture and nutrients. Notice how the sporophyte (seed head) holds a water drop. Observe the scales of the lichen and consider how they can pull moisture from the atmosphere by presenting more surface area in a small space. Truly, there are wonders at our feet!
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