Great Smoky Mountains NP Feb. 21, 2009 These gelatinous black lichens contain cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) as their photobiont. They can grow on trees or on the soil. Jelly lichens often grow along with mosses. While surveying the trees in my yard, I was surprised to find this lichen growing on the bark of the Black Gum tree behind my house too. We have lived here for 27-1/2 years and I've never noticed it before! That proves there is always something new to see and learn about! :)
It is amazing how much this moth looks like lichen! It would nearly disappear on a lichen-covered tree.
