In the grasslands and open forests rocks and outcrops are often covered and colored by crustose lichens. Frequently we see white/green, yellow, or grey-green lichens, but the one that stands out is the orange-red variety.

Lichens are a symbiotic organism of fungus and algae (or cynobacterium). They are long-livbd and survive in all types of extreme conditions. The algaes produce food through photosynthesis and both absorb moisture and minerals to a mutual benefit. In our area, they an be seen in the forest, on the ground, or on rock surfaces.

Crystose lichens grow on flat surfaces. While hiking in the grasslands, have a close look at any boulder and most will have some crustose lichens on the surface. Most of the orange lichens belong to the species xanthoria, recognizable from a distance. When we hike the Barren Hills in summer, we can see an outcrop from a distance we have named Orange Cap (at N50 44.344 W120 26.629), a great place to see well-established colorful crustose lichens.