Date of issue: 5 October 2021
Designer: Jason Watts, Australia Post Design Studio
Printer: RA Printing

Part of a series of 4 'Antarctic Territory Lichen' stamps.

Plant: Xanthoria mawsonii

Family: TELOSCHISTACEAE

Common-name: Mawson's Lichen

Lichens are complex organisms made up of fungi and one or more algae species.
They are named according to the fungal component.
This lichen grows in the coastal regions of Antarctica and is very visible due to its wonderfully
bright orange-red colour.
It often grows on rocks near bird colonies where it relies on nutrients from bird droppings.