Rhizine

In lichens, rhizines are multicellular root-like structures arising mainly from the lower surface.

Rhizines serve only to anchor the lichen to their substrate; they do not absorb nutrients, as plant roots do.

Characteristics of the rhizines are used to identify lichens, for example, whether they are dense or sparse, uniformly distributed or clumped in specific areas, and straight or branched.

Rhizohyphae are more slender than rhizines and are one cell thick in diameter.

Rhizohyphae often occur as a felt-like hyphal mass.