Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Lichen Colors 
Name: Jennifer Mae H.
Status: student
Age: 20s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 3/4/2004
Question:
Do lichens change colors or is it just because their different species? If they do change colors what is this due to? I am interested in lichens on oak trees.

Replies:
These pages mention litmus as a lichen extract. Litmus paper is regularly used to determine pH based on color change.

http://www.princeton.edu/teacher/tsm/scienceaction/acids.htm

http://www.chriscooksey.demon.co.uk/lichen/litmus.htm

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/l/litmus35.html

Also possibly helpful:

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/bot00/bot00337.htm

Anthony Brach, Ph.D


Click here to return to the Botany Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory