Decomposers

 Fungi: 

   

• Organisms that lack roots, stems and leaves.  They lack chlorophyll thus, cannot photosynthesize their own food.
• Live where they can absorb organic matter as well as minerals and water so they grow on the remains of plants or animals or as parasites on living organisms.  

Examples:

• Mildews
• Rusts
• Mushrooms
• Puffballs
• Conks
• Yeasts
• Molds

Conks:

A type of fungus found attached to tree trunks.  They grow out from the trunks like steps or shelves and have growth rings like trees.  They appear to be soft, like mushrooms, but are very hard and are firmly attached to the trunk.

Lichen: 

    

Are composite organisms created by a relationship between fungus and algae.  The fungus absorbs the water and nutrients, while the algae produces the food since it contains the chlorophyll.  This partnership creates the plant, lichen.  Lichens grow on walls, rocks, tree bark, and other places where neither fungus nor algae could exist alone.  Lichens grow very slowly and live a long time.  Some lichens, found in the Arctic, may be more than 4000 years old.