20 Nov 2008

Lichen Hunt

From Our Changing World, 9:06 pm on 20 November 2008

Lichens are found everywhere. They are able to colonise almost any surface not permanently covered by water, ice or snow and many can endure extremes of heat or cold that would prove fatal to other plants. Since they require little or no nourishment from the substrate they live on, they can thrive on rocks, wood, bricks, tiles, and even asphalt, where they have no competition from other plant types. Lichen expert Barbara Polly, who looks after the lichen collection at Te Papa Tongarewa, took a group of children from the Kiwi Conservation Club on a lichen hunt in Otari Wilton Bush.

Get the RNZ app

for easy access to all your favourite programmes

Subscribe to Our Changing World

Podcast (MP3) Oggcast (Vorbis)