_d._ VARYING SHADE CONDITIONS. It has been frequently observed that on
the trees of open park lands lichens are more abundant on the side of
the trunk that faces the prevailing winds. Wiesner[878] remarks that
spores and soredia would more naturally be conveyed to that side; but
there are other factors that would come into play: the tree and the
branches frequently lean away from the wind, giving more light and also
an inclined surface that would retain water for a longer period on the
windward side[879]. Spores and soredia would also develop more readily in
those favourable conditions.
In forests there are other and different conditions: on the outskirts,
whether northern or southern, the plants requiring more light are to be
found on the side of the trunk towards the outside; in the depths of the
forest, light may be reduced from 1/200 to 1/300, and any lichens present
tend to become mere leprose crusts. Krempelhuber[880] has recorded among
his Bavarian lichens those species that he found constantly growing in
the shade: they are in general species of Collemaceae and Caliciaceae,
several species of _Peltigera_ (_P. venosa_, _P. horizontalis_ and _P.
polydactyla_); _Solorina saccata_; _Gyalecta Flotovii_, _G. cupularis_;
_Pannaria microphylla_, _P. triptophylla_, _P. brunnea_; _Icmadophila
aeruginosa_, etc.
B. EFFECT ON REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
In the higher plants, it is recognized that a certain light-intensity is
necessary for the production of flowers and fruit. In the lower plants,
such as lichens, light is also necessary for reproduction; it is a
common observation that well-lighted individuals are the most abundantly
fruited. In the higher fungi also, the fruiting body is more or less
formed in the light.
_a._ POSITION AND ORIENTATION OF FRUITS WITH REGARD TO LIGHT. There is
an optimum of light for the fruits as well as for the thallus in each
species of lichen: in most cases it is the fullest light that can be
secured.
Zukal[881] finds an exception to that rule in species of _Peltigera_:
when exposed to strong sunlight, the lobes, fertile at the tips, curve
over so that to some extent the back of the apothecium is turned to
the light; with diffuse light, the horizontal position is retained and
the apothecia face upwards. In the closely allied genera _Nephroma_,
_Nephromium_ and _Nephromopsis_, the apothecia are produced on the back
of the lobe at the extreme tip, but as they approach maturity the fertile
lobes turn right back and they become exposed to direct illumination.
In a well-developed specimen the full-grown fruits may thus become so
prominent all over the thallus, that it is difficult to realize they are
on reversed lobes. In one species of _Cetraria_ (_C. cucullata_) the
rarely formed apothecia are adnate to the back of the lobe; but in that
case the margins of the strap-shaped fronds are incurved and connivent,
and the back is more exposed than the front.
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