Lichens and Dyes

Part 1, Part 2

Lichens are classified on the basis of their structure and can be divided into 3 major groups.

Crustose
Crustose lichens are usually found on rocks, or on wood or tree bark. The entire thallus(or body of the lichen) is attached to the substrate. When the edges of the thallus are free from the substrate, the crustose lichen is called squamulose.

Foliose
Foliose lichens are leaf-like or have distinct lobes. They are attached to the substrate by rhizines from a differentiated lower cortex.

Fruticose
Fruticose lichen are radially symmetric. The thallus is or more or less round, may be hollow or filled with white, cottony fungal hyphae. Fruticose lichen may also have a bushy structure.

Additional Links:

Lichens, The Microbial World
Detailed photos of types of lichen and their structure.

Lichen Use, Sorted by Taxon
An extensive database on the human use of lichens in medicine, food and dye material.

Lichen Dye Photos
This site has photos of a few lichen and the dyes colors produced: Oak moss (Evernia Prunastri) Letharia vulpina, Hypogymnia imshaugii, Platismatia glauca, Usnea .

Stefan's Florilegium: Dyeing techniques and discussion
Mark Harris has edited a list of discussions related to historical dye techniques.