Lobaria pulmonaria - Three Kingdoms in One

This unique creature actually consists of three different kingdoms living together in a symbiotic relationship. It is known commonly as tree lungwort, and is made up of a fungi and an algae, creating a lichen, and a cyanobacterium. Pretty amazing seeing three members from three different kingdoms living together! Captured in North Idaho.

comments (5)

travismorhardt

Lion

Also, reading through the Wiki (or the info to the right) it says that this organism can reproduce sexually...at age 25!?!? I wonder just how old this thing can live... Posted 10 years ago
1. Gary B
  
  Lion
  
  They can live for decades! I first saw one of these lichens on a yellow birch tree when I was 17 (that was 48 years ago). It is still growing there. So far, it has not produced any apothecia but it does have soredia for vegetative dispersal. Posted 6 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Amazing find! I still cannot even comprehend what lichen actually are, they are so complex. Promoting and hoping that Claire sees this so that she can add it to her "weird" list. Posted 10 years ago
1. travismorhardt
  
  Lion
  
  Lichen's are just so different than anything else. I knew you would get a kick out of this. I saw this in the woods and thought "Ferdy is gonna enjoy this one". :) Posted 10 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    You were right :) Posted 10 years ago

The Tree lungwort

"Lobaria pulmonaria" is a large epiphytic lichen consisting of an ascomycete fungus and a green algal partner living together in a symbiotic relationship with a cyanobacterium—a symbiosis involving members of three kingdoms of organisms.

Info 7 0

Similar species: Peltigerales

Species identified by travismorhardt