noun

• 1A simple slow-growing plant that typically forms a low crusty, leaflike, or branching growth on rocks, walls, and trees.

  Lichens are composite plants consisting of a fungus that contains photosynthetic algal cells. Their classification is based upon that of the fungal partner, which in most cases belongs to the subdivision Ascomycotina, and the algal partners are either green algae or cyanobacteria

  ‘the cedars are festooned with lichen’

  More example sentences

  • ‘rocks covered with gold lichens’
  • ‘A profusion of mosses, liverworts, lichens and ferns cover the woodland floor and festoon tree trunks and branches.’
  • ‘There are a lot of mosses and lichens, simple in that respect, but it provides a habitat for such a range and complexity of wildlife that come ashore to breed.’
  • ‘Although they seem barren, the flat rock outcrops, known as pavement rock, support some lichens and mosses.’
  • ‘The elements and the wood of the tree have fed the lichens and mosses.’
  • ‘In contrast to higher plants, lichens and mosses are capable of tolerating full dehydration.’
  • ‘I fancy that it had been there long before the avenue was constructed, for the grey tiles were stained with lichens, and the walls were mildewed and discoloured with age.’
  • ‘It is thus important to determine the order of magnitude of the acceleration effect on biogenic weathering by soil microorganisms, lichens and vascular plants.’
  • ‘The primary objective of this study was to document the lichens, bryophytes and vascular plants present at the High Line.’
  • ‘Yellow dyes from native lichens and tree bark were replaced by Old Fustic, a flowering plant, and quercitron bark, both from North America.’
  • ‘It seemed incredible that anything could live here, but different-coloured lichens clung to the rocks and gave them their sunset tones.’
  • ‘Prior to data collection, samples of lichens were collected from tree trunks at twelve of the study sites.’
  • ‘A large number of invertebrates, bryophytes, and lichens are also likely to depend on large dead trees.’
  • ‘A special class of these, oleananes, are formed by flowering plants, some ferns and lichens.’
  • ‘In that position it will be only partially visible to visitors and effectively inhibit the growth of lichens.’
  • ‘Despite the wide diversity of the basic growth forms, all lichens have a similar internal morphology.’
  • ‘Ancient fluorescent lichens cling to rocks, and fluffy Arctic cotton softens the harshness of the landscape.’
  • ‘The culture in the yoghurt brings up a weather-beaten effect within weeks and encourages the growth of lichens.’
  • ‘In addition to the algae in lichens, bacteria are invariably associated with the lichen thallus.’
  • ‘Mosses, ferns and green and white lichens sprawled all over the wet rock wall that bounded the inner curve of the levada.’
  • ‘These include the lichens, mosses and liverworts, all of which are worth a closer look through a magnifying glass in order to appreciate their true beauty.’

• 2mass noun, usually with modifier A skin disease in which small, hard round lesions occur close together.

  ‘patients with oral lichen planus’

  More example sentences

  • ‘The white buccal lesions of oral lichen planus may necessitate biopsy to exclude leukoplakia, candidiasis, and secondary syphilis.’
  • ‘The differential diagnosis includes psoriasis, lichen simplex chronicus, prurigo nodularis, and lichen planus.’
  • ‘Other causes of genital dermatitis, such as lichen planus, can cause similar symptoms.’
  • ‘Signs and symptoms of oral lichen planus may last weeks to months and include a dry or sore mouth, a burning sensation or a metallic taste.’
  • ‘But it may be associated with another inflammatory skin condition called lichen planus.’
  • ‘The reported rates of association have differed widely, probably because of varying study design, oral versus cutaneous lichen planus and geography.’
  • ‘Other rarely reported dermatoses include lichen simplex and impetigo.’
  • ‘The signs of oral lichen planus are white streaks on the cheeks and gums, which are usually painless and not itchy.’
  • ‘Thus, the patient should be examined for the characteristic lacy white patterned and erosive lesions of the oral and genital mucosa to rule out lichen planus.’
  • ‘Dissecting cellulitis, lichen planopilaris, and folliculitis decalvans also may cause scarring alopecia.’
  • ‘Patients with localized lichen planus are usually treated with potent topical steroids, while systemic steroids are used to treat patients with generalized lichen planus.’
  • ‘Up to 70 percent of patients with lichen planus may have mucosal involvement.’
  • ‘This is fairly common, is seen almost exclusively in women over middle age, and is usually a manifestation of lichen planus or mucous membrane pemphigoid.’
  • ‘They are totally benign, although occasional patients or physicians become concerned about them or misdiagnose them as, for example, thrush or lichen planus.’
  • ‘However, there is very positive evidence that many oral lichen planus sufferers test as hypersensitive to mercury.’
  • ‘Effective treatment of pruritus can prevent scratch-induced complications such as lichen simplex chronicus and impetigo.’
  • ‘An example is a family of conditions called lichen simplex, lichen sclerosis, and lichen planus.’
  • ‘Vulvar symptoms may be caused by an underlying genital dermatological condition, such as dermatitis or lichen sclerosus’
  • ‘My mouth and tongue are severely inflamed and a biopsy has diagnosed lichen planus.’
  • ‘Some authors have speculated that the trauma and increased infection related to sexual abuse may act as a trigger to developing lichen sclerosus, related to Koebnerisation, which is known to occur in this disease.’