Lichen quiz

Test your knowledge of lichens with our true or false quiz

Can you decide which of these statements are true and which have been made up?

Click on the true or false text below each question to reveal the answer. How many did you get right?

1. Lichens grow less than 1cm per year.

2. A lichen is actually two types of organism living together.

3. Most lichens grow in one of three forms: crusty, leafy and shrubby.

4. Growth of lichens on trees is encouraged by ivy.

5. Golden leafy Xanthoria is a good indicator of clean air.

6. The most prized purple dye for the robes of Roman emperors was extracted from lichens.

7. Lichens are colonisers and one of the first forms of life to appear on bare rock, for example after earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

8. Extract of Oak Moss lichen (Evernia prunastri) is used in the perfume industry.

9. Lichens cannot tolerate salt-water spray.

10. Eagles Claw lichen (Anaptychia ciliaris) is becoming rampant in our cities.

How did you do?

9-10 correct - Fantastic. Are you a lichenologist? 

5-8 correct - Pretty good. Why not learn more about lichens by taking part in the OPAL air survey?

1-4 correct - Good try. You can improve your knowledge of lichens by taking part in the OPAL air survey.

0 correct - The only way is up! Try again and see how many answers you remember.