Yeast and Ergot are also Ascomycetes. A ring of mushrooms forms at the outer edge of the mycelium. For many years, it was suspected that Penicillium belonged in the Ascomycota, and recently it was officially moved to that Division. More specifically, their relationship is called mutualistic , because both benefit from the relationship. Lichens are often a grayish-green color, but may be brightly colored.
Lichens are good at colonizing bare rock and starting to break it down into soil.
Because lichens depend on rainwater as a source of moisture and air as a source of CO 2 from which to make sugar, they are extremely sensitive to pollution and are among the first to die. Thus, these fungi are indicator species for poor air quality. All rights reserved.