Anatomy of the Thallus

The spores of lichenized and nonlichenized fungi germinate and produce hyphae which are divided into cells by means of cross walls called septa. These cells are characterized by their basic cylindrical form and thin walls 

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Many of the types of tissues and cells found in the cortex and medulla of lichens are present also in the fruiting body, especially in the exciple. These structures are treated in Chapter 2 but there are some examples of the way these tissue types may become altered in the anatomy of the thallus adjoining the ascocarp. 

The influence of the ascocarp on the anatomy of the thallus is most conspicuous in gelatinized lichens. The thallus of these species seems to be too soft to bear the fruiting bodies and therefore either secondary supporting... 

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