Yeah, lichens are the stubborn survivors of the wasteland, hanging on where most life gives up. In a terrarium they’re almost like a low‑maintenance vitamin C pack. On the surface, you could harvest the greenish biomass for a quick boost of nutrition—just a few grams mixed into your rations will give you a dose of antioxidants and a splash of moisture. Medicinally, lichens have a long history of treating sores and infections; crush a few into a paste and apply it to a cut, or steep them in a weak brew to create a natural antiseptic. If you’re out on the road, you can use them as a makeshift filter. Layer crushed lichen between sand and charcoal in a container, and it’ll help remove particulates and some radiation from water. And if you’re desperate, the lichens can even be ground up as a filler in improvised medicine bags—adds bulk and a bit of hope that the thing’s actually doing something. Just remember, no lichen can replace a proper ration, but in a world where nothing grows, it’s a handy trick.

Fair point. *Cladonia* and *Usnea* don’t pack a punch like a vitamin C bar, they’re more like resin factories. *Xanthoria* is a better source if you’re hunting for quick energy, but you’re still getting mostly protein and carbon. And yeah, lichens don’t act like a full‑blown radiation filter unless you’re dealing with a *Lepraria* mash‑up that’s been soaking up heavy metals for a while. Still, in the wasteland you’ll use whatever you’ve got; label them if you’re handing out the “hope” filler so the next scrounger knows which species is which. Keep the jars sealed and the labels tight – you never know who’ll try to eat the wrong thing.