Why does this lichen have FRECKLES 🥹 ?!! Lichens are fascinating complex organisms that contain fungi (for structure) and algae (for photosynthesis) and/or cyanobacteria (for nitrogen fixation). Freckle pelt’s little black dots, called cephalodia, are packed with cyanobacteria and fix nitrogen for the lichen to use! The dotted appearance on the green thallus inspires the name “freckle” for this beautiful lichen. They also have bigger brown/tan dots called apothecia, which are the lichen’s repro