Question

The most common structure for vegetative propagation in Lichens is __________.

• A. bulbils
• B. soredia
• C. cephalodia
• D. pycnidia

Hint:

Think of the tiny powdery granules that dust off a lichen thallus.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: A lichen must disperse both its fungal and algal partner together to start a new colony, so it uses special combined propagules rather than fungal spores alone.

Step 2: Soredia are microscopic bundles of a few algal cells enclosed by fungal threads, produced in huge numbers on the thallus surface and easily carried off by wind, water or animals.

Step 3: Cephalodia are localized outgrowths hosting a secondary cyanobacterial partner, not a propagule; pycnidia are asexual fungal fruiting bodies producing conidia, not combined propagules; bulbils are unrelated structures from certain plants.

So the common vegetative propagule of lichens is \[\boxed{\text{soredia}}\]