Dig into Plants: Similar Species (Upper Grades)

Similar Species

Some groups of organisms such as mosses, algae, mushrooms (fungi), and lichens are often referred to as plants because they can be found in similar habitats as true plants, but they do not have the same shape or structure as common plants like wildflowers, bushes, or trees.

Also, people assume theses similar species must be plants since they do not look or behave like animals. However, there are other classifications of living things in addition to plants and animals, and only one of these similar species (moss, algae, fungi and lichens) is classified as a true plant.

Learn more about…

Mosses

Algae

Mushrooms (fungi)

Lichens

Comparison Chart for All Four Similar Groups

The terms "algae", "bacteria", and "fungi" are all plural forms of words. The singular word for algae is alga, the singular word for bacteria is bacterium, and the singular word for fungi is fungus.

Mosses

Classification:
Mosses are in the plant kingdom (Kingdom Plantae) This kingdom consists of organisms that are multicellular eukaryotes (cells that organized structures, each with a specific function). Plant cells are characterized by having cell walls made of cellulose and contain chloroplasts, allowing them to perform photosynthesis (the process of using sunlight to create sugars). Mosses are nonvascular, flowerless/seedless plants.	Moss in forest pixabay – ioa8320 Click on image to enlarge it

Identification:
Mosses do not have true leaves, branches, or roots. They tend to grow in colonies, forming green clumps or mats. They are usually found in damp, shady areas. Mosses have leaflike structures that use sunlight to create sugars for the plant to use (photosynthesis). They are attached to the surface with root-like strands called rhizoids.	Moss flickr – elycefeliz Click on image to enlarge it

Habitat Requirements:
Mosses can be found throughout the world in habitats that contain moisture because moisture is required for many cellular processes and for reproduction. They tend to grow on the side of trees, rocks, and other shady areas where the soil is compacted. They do not tolerate salt water environments.

Moss Life Cycle:
Mosses can reproduce by dividing or by spores (a special type of reproductive cell that can develop into a new individual). Spores are contained in a structure called a capsule located near the end of a stalk. The capsule has a covering that falls off when it is time to release the spores. The spores are transferred by water to a new location where the spore can grow into a new plant. When the plant matures, a new stalk can form to release new spores. Capsules vary in shape and color. New capsules are usually green in color, and many capsules turn red, yellow, or brown as they mature.	Moss Stalks and Capsules Wikimedia Click on image to enlarge it

Ecological Benefits:
Mosses help to break down exposed surfaces and release nutrients back into the nutrient cycle. Mosses also help control soil erosion by absorbing rainwater.

Algae

Classification:
Algae are in the protist kingdom (Kingdom Protista) This kingdom consists of all single-celled or multicellular eukaryotes (cells that organized structures, each with a specific function) other than plants, animals, and fungi. The term algae is used to describe a group of aquatic organisms that can conduct photosynthesis (the process of using sunlight to create sugars).	Algae Diversity Wikimedia – Fleliaer Click on image to enlarge it

Identification:
Algae lack true roots, stems, leaves, and are nonvascular (do not contain tubes for transporting water throughout organism). Some algae are single-celled and microscopic (not visible to the human eye) while others live in colonies and form greenish brown, or greenish blue clumps in still or slow moving waters.
	Algae on Rocks Wikimedia – Daniel Mayer Click on image to enlarge it

Habitat Requirements:
Algae are aquatic. They can grow in freshwater ponds and lakes, or they can grow in saltwater oceans (such as seaweed). They can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, oxygen levels, carbon dioxide levels, and acidity. Most algae are able to conduct photosynthesis (the process of using sunlight to create sugars), so many algae are found in sunny areas.
	Giant Kelp is the largest marine algae species and the largest seaweed in the world. flickr – NOAA Photo Library (sanc0063) Click on image to enlarge it

Algae Life Cycle:
Algae require water for reproduction and are able to reproduce through cell division or fragmentation. Fragmentation is a form of reproduction in which an organism breaks into pieces and each piece is able to grow into a new organism identical to the original. Algae can also reproduce asexually through spores (a special type of reproductive cell that can develop into a new individual). Algae spores require water for dispersal or movement. Many forms of algae are also able to use a form of sexual reproduction where cells from two individuals, each containing a set of genetic information, fuse together. Ecological Benefits: As a result of photosynthesis, algae are responsible for producing a large percentage of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere. Algae are major source of food for aquatic organisms and are the producers of the aquatic food web.
	Algae PublicDomainPictures.net – Lynn Greyling Click on image to enlarge it

Mushrooms (fungi)

Classification:
Kingdom Fungi (yeasts, molds, and mushrooms) This kingdom consists of organisms that are single-celled or multicellular eukaryotes (cells that organized structures, each with a specific function). Fungi are nonvascular (do not contain tubes for transporting water throughout the organism), are not able to conduct photosynthesis, and have cell walls made of chitin.	Fairy Ring Mushroom Wikimedia – James St. John Click on image to enlarge it

Identification:
Most mushrooms are multicellular and have a stem with a disc-shaped cap on top; Range in colors including brown, black, white, cream, pink, yellow, red, and purple.
	Red Chanterelli Mushrooms flickr – Thiophene_Guy Click on image to enlarge it

Habitat Requirements:
Mushrooms can grow in a variety of habitats but prefer habitats that are dark and moist such as the forest floor. They obtain nutrients by breaking down and decomposing other organisms, so they tend to grow in areas where there is debris from plants and animals.

Mushroom Life Cycle:
Mushrooms reproduce by spores. The part of the mushroom that we see is the fruiting body which can release millions of spores (a special type of reproductive cell that can develop into a new individual). When a spore lands in a favorable location, it germinates and begins to quickly grow long finger-like extensions called hyphae. When a hypha from one mushroom comes in contact with a hypha from another mushroom that is compatable, their genetic material fuses and continues to grow into a fillamentous (finger-like) body called the mycelium. Eventually the mycelium will develop a stalk or stem with a fruiting body on top, containing spores that will be released. Visit Learn how to make a mushroom spore print and use the Making a Mushroom Spore Print Lesson Plan from Science Learning Hub (PDF) to make your own spore print! Practice collecting data based on your spore print using the Spore Print Card Template from the Mycological Society of Toronto	Adobe Stock Click on image to enlarge it

Ecological Benefits:	Turkey Tail Mushroom flickr – Bernard Spragg. NZ Click on image to enlarge it
Mushrooms are an essential link in the food web because they function as decomposers. They are important because they break down nonliving organisms and release nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Lichens

Classification:
A lichen is the result of a mutualistic symbiotic relationship (a relationship in which both organisms live closely together and both organisms benefit from the relationship) between: a fungus (Kingdom Fungi) and an alga (Kingdom Protista) or cyanobacterium (Kingdom Monera). Kingdom Monera consists of organisms that are single-celled prokaryotes (cells that do not have organized structures and have DNA that is not encased in an envelope). The fungus benefits by gaining energy and nutrition from the alga or cyanobacterium conducting photosynthesis (using sunlight to make sugars that the organism can use as food). Lichens that have cyanobacteria as the photosynthesizing component are also able to perform nitrogen fixation. The cyanobacteria take an unusable form of nitrogen in the atmosphere and convert it into a form that can be used by the lichen. In return, the alga or cyanobacterium receives protection from UV rays through the fungus forming a protective shell. An easy way to remember the relationship:	Lichen on Tree Trunk Wikimedia – Sasata Click on image to enlarge it Two forms of LIchen PublicDomainPictures.net – Marina Shemesh Click on image to enlarge it

"When Freddy Fungus met Alice Algae, they took a lichen to each other. Freddy built their house and Alice
cooked their meals. Although their relationship is on the rocks, they have decided to stick together."

The Strangely Popular Lichen Song
Music and lyrics © 1991 by Alan AtKisson – from the album “Whole Lotta Shoppin’ Goin’ On,” Rain City Records, 1999

Identification:
Different lichens have some variation in shape but generally grow in either a 2-dimensional crust like pattern or in a 3-dimensional tuft like structure. The portion of the lichen that is visible is called the thallus. There are several types of thalli, each having their own name and identifying characteristic. Foliose: appear flat and leafy Fruticose: appear wired or tufted Crustose: form a crust over surface The fungi and algae or cyanobacterium are arranged in layers. Outside layer: composed of thick, tightly packed fungal cells Middle layer: algae or cyanobacterium Inner layer: called the medulla – composed of loosely packed fungal cells Each lichen has a structure beneath the inner layer that allows it to attach to a surface.	Foliose Lichen Wikimedia – Vitaly Charny Click on image to enlarge it Fruticose Lichen flickr – Martin LaBar Click on image to enlarge it Crustose Lichen flickr – Miss Anthropology Click on image to enlarge it
Habitat Requirements:
Lichens can grow in nearly all terrestrial (land) environments. The close relationship between the fungi and algae allows both types of organisms to live in a more broad range of environments than they would be able to live as an individual species. Lichens are dependent on fresh air and water vapor, so they tend to grow in areas that are foggy or have a more humid environment. If they dry out, they become brittle, turn a drab gray color, and become dormant. When there is enough moisture in the air, they can perform photosynthesis and appear more vibrant in color due to the algae or cyanobacteria. Lichens can be found on or inside rocks, on or inside tree bark, and on woody surfaces. They can also grow on the soil, on mosses, on leaves, on on other lichens. They can even grow on manmade materials such as concrete, metal, glass, and plastic.

Lichen Life Cycle:
The fungus portion of the lichen produces fruiting bodies that release spores (a special type of reproductive cell that can develop into a new individual). When a spore lands in a favorable habitat, a new fungus is produced. The fungus that grows from the spore must find a new algae partner, or it will not survive because the algae portion of a lichen does not reproduce. Alternatively, if the fungus reproduces asexually (not needing another individual with which to combine genetic material), the thallus portion of the lichen will fragment, transferring both the fungus and alga or cyanobacterium with it to the new individual.

Ecological Benefits:
Lichens play an important role in the biological weathering of rocks in an ecosystem. Because they live on the surfaces of rocks and produce chemicals, they begin breaking down the rock, releasing minerals. This is an essential step in producing primitive soil. Because lichens absorb water vapor through the air, they require fresh air. If there are pollutants in the environment, they will absorb those as well. Lichens can be used as an indicator of pollution for materials like metal, carbon, and sulfur.	Lichen on Rocks pixabay – Hans Click on image to enlarge it

Lichens are used as a food source and nesting materials by a variety of animals. Mammals like deer, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and bats eat lichen and use beard lichen for nesting materials. Invertebrates like katydids, grasshoppers, butterflies, spiders, and beetles also feed on lichens. These animals are also known to live on lichens or use lichens to help camouflage (blend in with the surrounding environment) themselves from other animals.

Most beard lichens contain a chemical called usnic acid which has anti-insect and anti-microbial properties.

Comparison Chart

	Moss	Algae	Mushrooms	Lichens


Classification (Kingdom)	Plant Kingdom Plantae	Protist Kingdom Protista	Fungus Kingdom Fungi	Fungus and alga or cyanobacteria Kingdom Fungi Kingdom Protista Kingdom Monera

Identification	Form clumps or mats, often green in color, usually in damp and shady areas	Form greenish brown, or greenish blue clumps in still or slow moving waters	Stem with a disc-shaped cap on top; Range in colors including brown, black, white, cream, pink, yellow, red, and purple	Show some variation in shape but generally grow in either a 2-dimensional crust like pattern or in a 3-dimensional tuft like structure

Habitat	Require moisture, usually found in shady habitats	Aquatic habitats like ponds, lakes and oceans	Dark and damp terrestrial (land) habitats	Terrestrial (land) habitats with clean, fresh air

Life Cycle/ Reproduction	Reproduces by fragmentation or spores	Reproduces by fragmentation, spores, or fusing of cells from two separate individuals	Reproduces by spores	Fungus portion of the lichen reproduces by spores; The structure containing the fungus and alga or cyanobacterium can fragment into new individuals

Ecological Benefits	Break down exposed surfaces; Control soil erosion	Produces large amounts of oxygen; Base of the food web in aquatic environments	Decomposers: break down dead organisms and release nutrients back into the system	Biological weathering; Indicator of air pollution

INFORMATION SOURCES

Australian National Botanic Gardens and the Australian National Herbarium		Gardening Know How

Current Biology		Live Science – algae Live Science – lichen

Encyclopedia of Life		Biology Online– algae Biology Online – fungi

Lumen Learning		Sciencing.com

USDA Forest Service

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