Question

How do the species ‘lichen’ propagate?

Answer 1

Lichen is an organism that is born out of a symbiotic relationship between two partners; which is a long-term interaction between organisms biologically. In the process of formation of lichen, the two particular organisms that are involved in a symbiotic relationship are algae and fungi. Algae and fungi on their own reproduce using asexual methods, so now we need to see how lichen propagate.

Complete answer:
We know that lichens are made up of two different organisms which are algae and fungi. Naturally their structure can be guessed. They are an algal body surrounded by fungi. Both algae and fungi make use of asexual methods for reproduction. But we also know that fungi may reproduce even sexually, as they manage to adjust with their living conditions.

Lichen makes use of an asexual method of reproduction, just like its parental bodies, namely they use vegetative propagation, in order to reproduce. They comfortably grow almost anywhere like on the sides of a tree or on soil or even on rocks, they prefer dry areas to reproduce. We say that they grow better in dry areas because they can easily break down into tiny pieces, and then they are dispersed with the help of a natural carrier, the wind.

Since we know that lichens are produced by fungi, sometimes they can also reproduce sexually. Sexually reproducing lichens are called ascomycetes or basidiomycetes.

Note: Vegetative propagation is basically the growing of a plant from different parts, and so this can be done in many different ways. We know that a plant has different parts like its roots, stem, leaves and bulbs. So a plant can also grow out of any of these parts.

There are some artificial ways in which vegetative propagation takes place too, this is done when plants do not grow on their own but with some external help from humans. The many methods for this are cutting, layering, grafting or tissue culture.