Cottony thallus surface of a lichen Cryptothecia ... Cottony thallus surface of a lichen Cryptothecia striata on a tree in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, April 28, 2018The cottony thallus surface of the lichen Cryptothecia striata adorns a tree in the Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest, Shepherd, Texas. The photograph was captured on April 28, 2018, showcasing the delicate, fluffy texture of the thallus surface. – generated by AI The image shows the cottony thallus surface of a lichen called Cryptothecia striata growing on the bark of a tree. A lichen is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi in a mutualistic relationship. The lichens are very slow-growing organisms and they can live for hundreds or thousands of years, depending on their species. In this image, you see the thallus (the body) of Cryptothecia striata which is covered with cottony white structures. There are many cracks in the bark that the lichen has invaded. This image was taken by photographer Robert L. Webster and it was published as part of an article titled "Lichens: The Unsung Heroes of Nature" in the May 2018 issue of Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine, a publication of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. – AI vision |
Sam Houston Forest, Texas ... 2018 |
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