Sunburst lichen

Sunburst lichen (Xanthoria parietina), also known as orange lichen, is a bright yellow or orange leafy lichen, widespread in many parts of the world.

It is highly adaptable, being able to grow on various substrates, including rocks, bark, soil, and man-made structures such as buildings and walls.

Sunburst lichen can produce many secondary metabolites, including usnic acid, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties.

It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat various illnesses, including digestive disorders, respiratory problems, and skin conditions.

It is a food source for many animals, e.g., deer, snails, and some insects.

It is also used as a natural dye that creates various yellow and orange shades. It has been used in textile dyeing for centuries.

Sunburst lichen produces asexual reproductive structures called soredia, which are small clusters of algal cells and fungal hyphae that can spread through wind or water.

Sunburst lichen has been the subject of numerous ecological, genetic, and biochemical studies, making it an important model organism for understanding lichen biology.