Map lichen, Rhizocarpon sp

Rhizocarpons or map lichens are considered the oldest living organism on Earth, age-estimated at 8,600 years. Specimen from Finland

AscomycotaFinlandJulyNovemberRhizocarponTrentepohliaalgaalgaeascomycotesaureaautumnblackbrightcarotenoidcliffenigmatic taxafallfilamentousfungifungusgraygreengreyincertae sedisjäkäläkarttajäkälälichenlichenizedlichenslimestonemapmap lichenoldest living organism on Earthopen nomenclatureorangepigmentproblematicarockrock surfaceshorestonesurfacetaxonomic grouptaxonomyterrestrial