When hiking the trail from Rand Cliff out, the natural arch created by rock falls from the cliff, which the trail passes under, looks like this as you approach it. If you're 6 ft or more tall you have to duck a little to get under the near part of the arch roof. Note the plant growth on the huge boulder at the left - that is a plant partnership between a fungus and an alga (to form a lichen), the first providing the food (energy) for the plant, and the second providing protection, water conservation, etc. This plant is known as Rock Tripe, a reference to the fact that it had been used by native Americans and early white explorers of this continent as an emergency or starvation food in times of crisis - tripe suggests that it is edible, but not especially palatable (and causes some people serious digestive distress - but that is better than starvation). The fungal element can store water and thus exist without rain for a year or more - during periods when water is plentiful the plant is soft & its color is greenish, but when drought occurs it turns leathery in texture and becomes brownish. Rock Tripe - http://www.sierrapotomac.org/W_Needh...ipe_080211.htm
· Date: Tue May 11, 2010 · Views: 2220 · Filesize:32.0kb, 324.1kb · Dimensions: 1373 x 1350 ·
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