# Shield Lichens, Sunburst Lichens, Rosette Lichens, And Allies (*lecanoromycetidae*)

Lichens are fascinating organisms made up of fungi and algae working together! They come in many shapes and colors, and can often be found growing on rocks and tree bark.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Habitat:** Lichens can be found on trees, rocks, and soil in various environments including forests and mountains.
- **Also known as:** Crustose Lichens, Foliose Lichens, Fruticose Lichens

![Shield Lichens, Sunburst Lichens, Rosette Lichens, And Allies](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rhizocarpon_geographicum01.jpg&width=800)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhizocarpon_geographicum01.jpg)

## Appearance

The Shield Lichens, Sunburst Lichens, Rosette Lichens, And Allies often form colorful, flat patches or leafy rosettes on rocks and tree bark. They display shades of grey-green, yellow, or brilliant orange, creating distinct, often circular patterns that hug the surface.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Ascomycota
- **Class:** Lecanoromycetes

## Interesting facts

- Lichens are actually two different organisms living together: a fungus and an alga!
- Many animals, like reindeer and snails, munch on lichens for food!
- Some lichens can live for thousands of years, making them among Earth's oldest living things!
- They act like tiny air pollution detectors, showing how clean or dirty the air is!

## Special abilities

- **Photosynthesis Power:** Shield Lichens, Sunburst Lichens, Rosette Lichens, And Allies can make their own food using sunlight because of tiny algae or cyanobacteria living inside them.
- **Rock-Eating Power:** Shield Lichens, Sunburst Lichens, Rosette Lichens, And Allies can slowly break down rocks because they release special acids, helping to create new soil.
- **Survival Masters:** Shield Lichens, Sunburst Lichens, Rosette Lichens, And Allies can survive harsh climates because they can dry out and then rehydrate quickly.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 0.05-1 cm
- **Edible:** inedible
- **Growth Substrate:** wood
- **Season:** Year-round

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** Reindeer (*Rangifer tarandus*) — Main food source in Arctic
- **Eats:** [Garden Snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — Grazes on lichen surfaces
- **Shelter:** Wren (*Troglodytes troglodytes*) — Uses fragments for nesting

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Shield Lichens, Sunburst Lichens, Rosette Lichens, And Allies?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Shield Lichens, Sunburst Lichens, Rosette Lichens, And Allies?

0.05-1 cm

### Is Shield Lichens, Sunburst Lichens, Rosette Lichens, And Allies edible?

inedible

### Where is Shield Lichens, Sunburst Lichens, Rosette Lichens, And Allies usually found?

Lichens can be found on trees, rocks, and soil in various environments including forests and mountains.

### What does Shield Lichens, Sunburst Lichens, Rosette Lichens, And Allies grow on?

wood

### When is Shield Lichens, Sunburst Lichens, Rosette Lichens, And Allies in season?

Year-round

## Where to spot

- [ME's Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mes-zoo) — Indiana, US · Zoo
- [Colonel Joe Kittinger Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colonel-joe-kittinger-park) — Florida, US · Park

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Shield Lichens, Sunburst Lichens, Rosette Lichens, And Allies Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shield-lichens-sunburst-lichens-rosette-lichens-and-allies)