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another shot

The reason for the rough and non uniform surfaces is due to being mottled with a variety of colors created by 77+ species of Lichen growing on the stones. Several of these are nationally rare or scarce. Also every lochen consists of a fungus and a green alga living together in a mutually beneficial (or symbiotic) association. The algal partner contains chlorophyll and has the ability to convert the sun's energy into sugar (like plants do). The fungal partner constitueds the body of the lichen, protecting the alga from harsh envoronments in which lichens live. Several of the lichens found on the stones are normally found only on exposed coastlines, how they got to Stonehenge also remains a mystery! Notice in this shot the center stone isn't rough from about 1/4 of the way from the bottom to the ground where no lichens are present.