Worn Doorstep Gallery

Are you Lichen this? If you want your gift to symbolize resilience, cooperation, strength, uniqueness, abundance, self-sufficiency, longevity, wisdom, determination, courage, hardiness, initiative, a champion, and a protector, consider using Lichen as your graphic. Why? Lichen is something we commonly see growing on rocks, tree branches, roots and rotting wood. Much like humans, lichen are surprisingly fascinating, unique ... and weird ... and beautiful! They are not classified as a plant OR a fungus. Remarkably, they can grow almost anywhere, even in harsh conditions which highlights their resilience and abundance Lichen is a fascinating symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae, powered by photosynthesis. This relationship is like a great marriage. They exist by bringing together two or more life forms that need each other to thrive. In doing so, they create life where it wouldn't normally be found — essentially colonizing new frontiers and inviting other species to grow in otherwise barren areas. Much like a human pioneer, networking professional or a matchmaker. Not a Parasite and not Predatory! They are self-sufficient. They do not feed off of the surface on which they grow, but instead create their own food through photosynthesis using the algae that they pair with. With slow growth comes longevity, they are some of the oldest living things on the planet. If they were human we would consider them wise, patient and steadfast. They possess "an arsenal of more than 500 unique biochemical compounds that help control light exposure, repel herbivores, kill attacking microbes, and discourage competition from plants," Like a parent or a warrior they are tactical and protective. Like humans, one of the most serious threat to the continued health of lichens is not predation, but the increased pollution of this century. Because some lichens are so sensitive to pollution, they are being used assess levels of air toxins in Europe and North America."