As glaciers and wintry weather swept over the hemispheres, one plant would not be averted! Clinging to the barren wasteland, lichens remained as other species died out. For those of you scientists out there: lichens are not really plants, they're fungi. They are classified like that because of their ways of reproduction. Most lichens reproduce by releasing spores (kind of like small, microscopic seeds) into the air. If the spore lands at an "OK" area, it grows! Other ways that lichens reproduce include growing algae-like cells attached to a strand. Wind or water carries this strand away, much like what it does to a dandelion seed. Another similar method involves growing peg-shaped protrusions that are broken away and dispensed by nature also. Since they are hardy in any climate, scientists have found many uses for lichens. Many northern-bound animals (including some humans) have found ...umm... how shall I put it? Nutritional value in these spore-releasing fungi. But there are other uses for lichens. For example, lichens are used to color some dyes and are used to prevent fragrance from evaporating off of perfumes and after-shaves. Certain types of lichen are also used as decoration in central Europe. Yet another type is used as an acid/base indicator. Some medicine is made from lichens. It can help heal some lung or skin ailments. Up until recently, it was a major ingredient in antibiotics. Lichens can detect poison in the air and metallic air pollution from factories. I think that we should be thankful that these lichens lasted through the bitter Pleistocene!

Lichen growing on a branch.

Cenozoic Era: Quaternary Period: Pleistocene Epoch: Botanist's List