Lichen

Lichens were a type of composite organism often confused for plants. They could be found in various places across the Realms.

Description
Lichen came in a wide variety of forms and colorations.

Habitats
On the surface of Toril, one could find lichen in a variety of locations, including the Cormanthor forest's starwood area and the Plains of Purple Dust.

They were most abundant underneath the surface of Toril, in the area known as the Underdark, where they and other vegetation received nourishment from the ambient faerzress. Areas particularly diverse in lichen included Fluvenilstra and Gduar's Garden.

Species

 * Glowing: there existed a variety of lichen species that were bioluminescent, but these were rather rare. In the Underdark, they were more common in the Upperdark than the Middledark. A silvery-blue variety could be found all across the ceiling of Iltkazar's cavern.


 * Medquat: a crimson species of lichen was found in hollow logs within the starwood. They tasted like lemons and were highly prized in Cormyr. Scorpions were attracted to them.


 * Mikka: a black lichen endemic to the Great Glacier.


 * Fire lichen: a pale, orange-white lichen that obtained its energy from warmth.


 * Wisp lichen: a dangerous, white colored lichen native to the Underdark. It secreted an adhesive that could hold creatures and paralyze them. It would then slowly digest their prey, resulting in their painful and tortuous demise. The true danger of wisp lichen, however, was the fact that many dangerous Underdark predators and scavengers could be found lurking near them, hoping to get a free meal.

Usage
Lichen was among the forms of Underdark vegetation that deep rothé subsisted upon.