Anja Murray: Lots to learn — and like — about lichens

There are lichens growing in Antarctica and lichens that are found to exist for hundreds of years in the most arid of deserts of the world... and lichens on the footpaths and patios locally too

Woodland lichen. Picture: Anja Murray

Right in the heart of winter, when many animals are dormant and most plants have died back, there is one group of organisms we can still see growing everywhere: lichens. 

You will need to be looking out for them though, as they are small, subtle, and easy to walk straight past.