maritime sunburst lichen

Description:

Like all lichens are formed by the intimate symbiotic union between an alga and a fungus. The alga or phycobiont brings energy from photosynthesis, while the fungus or mycobiont provides water and minerals. Many millions of years ago learned to live together, helping each other, allowing them to successfully colonize the new land emerging from volcanic eruptions and tectonic plate movements. In fact, lichens are often the first living organisms to colonize the volcanic islands just after the lava cooled. ( http://mundani-garden.blogspot.com/2011/... )

Habitat:

Hardwood forests in low-elevation broad valleys; scattered on Populus and other hardwoods in riparian areas in agricultural and populated areas. It is often associated with high level of nitrogen and favored by eutrophication and can be often found near farmland and around livestock. X. parietina is a widespread lichen, and has been reported from Australia, Africa, Asia, North America and throughout much of Europe. In eastern North America and Europe, it is found more frequently near coastal locations. The increases in NO3 deposition as a result of industrial and agricultural developments in southern Ontario, Canada in the 20th century are thought to be responsible for the reappearance of this species in the local lichen flora

Notes:

The water extract of X. parietina has good antiviral activity in vitro, inhibiting the replication of human parainfluenza virus type 2. -----Decoction used with wine to treat menstrual complaints in Campohermoso. Common names: flor de piedra, rompiedra ( http://www.lichen.com/usetype.html ) --- at one picture , do you see a red circle, in it is some kind of mite, i had read that some lichens are occupied by some mite, which live in/under them