Minnesota Fungi and Lichens

Fungi is the kingdom of living organisms that is characterized by lacking chlorophyll, feeding on dead and decaying organic matter, producing spores, and having cells with cell walls that contain chitin. The kingdom is sometimes called “Fungi Including Lichens.”

Lichens are fungi living in a symbiotic relationship with algae, with cyanobacteria, or with both, and sometimes also with yeast.

Calling this category “Fungi Including Lichens” is something of a misnomer, since lichens are lichenized fungi.