Texosporium lichen
Scientific name: Texosporium
Texosporium lichen
Scientific name: Texosporium
Photo By milliebasden , used under CC-BY-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
Texosporium lichen is a rare lichen found in arid regions of western North America. It forms small, dark-colored fruiting bodies on soil crusts. Texosporium lichen has a unique relationship with surrounding mosses, often growing alongside them. Its spores are distinctively ornamented, resembling tiny footballs when viewed under a microscope. This lichen plays a role in stabilizing soil in desert ecosystems.
Species of Texosporium lichen
Photo By milliebasden , used under CC-BY-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Sac fungi Class
Lecanoromycetes Order
Teloschistales Family
Physciaceae Genus
Texosporium lichen