Lichens
Iceland Moss, Cetraria islandica, is a lichen.
Lichens belong to the division Fungi, sometimes called lichenized fungi.
In Iceland there are found around 710 lichen species.
Biological properties
Lichens are prominent examples of symbiotic organisms, in which fungi and algae and/or cyanobacteria form an intimate, biological union.
All three parts have different role in the symbiose.
The fungal part takes care of the water and mineral supply. The algal part takes care of photosynthesis and the cyanobacteria take care of Nitrogen fixation from the atmosphere.
Ecology
Lichens live on diverse substrata like soil, stones, bark, wood, concrete and even on iron and plastic.
Some lichen species are bound to saline environment and are only found by the sea. Other species are hydrophilic and can be found in moist cliff crevices and on stones in creeks sometimes even submerged with water.
Growth form
Lichens are very various according to growth form and color. They can be divided into three main groups: crustose lichens, folious lichens and fruticous lichens
Crustose lichens form a crust on the substratum. They are often very conspicious as colorful spots on big stones and cliffs.
Folious lichens form leaves. They can be found on various substrata mostly among heath vegetation and other small plants.
Fruticous lichens are schrublike. They live like the folious lichens on various substrata among other vegetation.
Iceland Moss belongs to the fruticous group of lichens. They are found all over Iceland and in the mountains and heaths they can cover large areas.
Iceland Moss
Iceland Moss has a very variable growth form. From being dark brown, thin and cylindrical to greenish-brown, broad and leaf like.
The growth form is subjected to environmental conditions like humidity, shade, shelter etc. (see picture)
