I'm Lichen It

I rode up to Madera Canyon in the Coronado National Forest and found this huge rock just covered in lichen.

closer for detail

In fact, in that area, there was lichen on just about every rock, stone, tree and branch in sight.

Lichens are dual kingdom organisms, although they are classified in the Kingdom Fungi. They are not plants, they are composed of algae and fungi living together in a symbiotic relationship.

The fungus part holds water and gives the lichen its shape; the algae make food by means of photosynthesis.

Lichen are very hardy and can be found everywhere from desert climes to those that are frigid - forested or not. That's something I didn't know.