Foliose lichens are attached to the substratum at one or few places with the help of

Options

A. Branched, multicellular rhizoids
B. Holdfast
C. Rhizines
D. Rhizomorph

Answer

### Step-by-Step Text Solution:

1. **Understanding Lichens**: Lichens are a symbiotic association between fungi and algae. The fungal partner is typically from the Ascomycetes or Basidiomycetes groups, while the algal partner is usually blue-green algae or green algae.

2. **Types of Lichens**: Lichens can be classified into different types based on their morphology. The three main types are crustose (crust-like), fruticose (shrub-like), and foliose (leaf-like).

3. **Characteristics of Foliose Lichens**: Foliose lichens have a flat, broad, and lobed structure that resembles leaves. They are attached to the substratum at one or a few points.

4. **Attachment Structures**: The structures that attach foliose lichens to the substratum are called **rhizines**. These are specialized structures that help anchor the lichen to its surface.

5. **Examples of Foliose Lichens**: Common examples of foliose lichens include **Parmelia** and **Peltigera**.

6. **Eliminating Other Options**:
- Multicellular branch rhizoids are found in bryophytes, not lichens.
- Holdfasts are root-like structures in brown algae (Phaeophyceae).
- Rhizomorphs are root-like aggregations found in Basidiomycetes fungi.

7. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that foliose lichens are attached to the substratum at one or few places with the help of **rhizines**.