Definition of Lichen. Meaning of Lichen. Synonyms of Lichen

Here you will find one or more explanations in English for the word Lichen. Also in the bottom left of the page several parts of wikipedia pages related to the word Lichen and, of course, Lichen synonyms and on the right images related to the word Lichen.

Definition of Lichen

Lichen
Lichen Li"chen (l[imac]"k[e^]n; 277), n. [L., fr. Gr. leichh`n.] 1. (Bot.) One of a class of cellular, flowerless plants, (technically called Lichenes), having no distinction of leaf and stem, usually of scaly, expanded, frond-like forms, but sometimes erect or pendulous and variously branched. They derive their nourishment from the air, and generate by means of spores. The species are very widely distributed, and form irregular spots or patches, usually of a greenish or yellowish color, upon rocks, trees, and various bodies, to which they adhere with great tenacity. They are often improperly called rock moss or tree moss. Note: A favorite modern theory of lichens (called after its inventor the Schwendener hypothesis), is that they are not autonomous plants, but that they consist of ascigerous fungi, parasitic on alg[ae]. Each lichen is composed of white filaments and green, or greenish, rounded cells, and it is argued that the two are of different nature, the one living at the expense of the other. See Hyph[ae], and Gonidia. 2. (Med.) A name given to several varieties of skin disease, esp. to one characterized by the eruption of small, conical or flat, reddish pimples, which, if unchecked, tend to spread and produce great and even fatal exhaustion.

Meaning of Lichen from wikipedia

- Common lichen growth forms A lichen (/ˈlaɪkən/, LEYE-ken but in UK often /ˈlɪtʃən/, LICH-en) is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria...
- Lichen pl**** (LP) is a disease characterized by itchy reddish-purple polygon-shaped skin lesions on the lower back, wrists, and ankles. It may also present...
- Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a skin disease of unknown cause, commonly appearing as whitish patches on the genitals, which can affect any body part of any...
- Symbiosis in lichens is the mutually helpful symbiotic relationship of green algae and/or blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) living among filaments of a...
- A fruticose lichen is a form of lichen fungi that is characterized by a coral-like shrubby or bushy growth structure. It is composed of a thallus and a...
- Lichen ruber is one of several diseases of the skin: Lichen ruber moniliformis (Wise-Rein disease) Lichen ruber pl**** (Lichen pl****)...
- Foliose lichen is one of a variety of lichens, which are complex organisms that arise from the symbiotic relationship between fungi and a photosynthetic...
- Lichen nitidus is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause characterized by 1–2 mm, discrete and uniform, shiny, flat-topped, pale flesh-colored...
- Lichen is a type of symbiotic organism. Lichen may also refer to: Lichen pl****, an inflammatory disease Lichen sclerosus, a skin disease Lichen simplex...
- Cladonia rangiferina, also known as reindeer lichen (c.p. Sw. renlav), lat., is a light-colored, fruticose lichen belonging to the family Cladoniaceae. It...
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