Searching for crustose lichens

Examples of crustose lichens in the Matobo hills of Zimbabwe, Southern Africa.

With Leon Louw founder of Endorphin Expeditions and WhyAfrica 

We saw some great examples of crustose lichens in the Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe during our recent overland road trips.

Crustose lichens are a type of lichen that form a tightly adhered, crust-like structure on their substrate, such as rocks, tree bark, or soil. Unlike other types of lichens, which might have more prominent or raised structures (like foliose or fruticose lichens), crustose lichens are flat and appear to be almost part of the surface they grow on.

These lichens are made up of a symbiotic relationship between fungi (which are the dominant partner) and photosynthetic organisms like algae or cyanobacteria. The fungal part forms a tightly bound crust that may appear as a thin, smooth layer or as rough, cracked patches, depending on the species.

Searching for crustose lichens