Summary Himantormia lugubris has developed special growth strategies as well as special structures on morphology and anatomy. H. lugubris , an antarctic endemic, is distributed on the islands of the northern maritime Antarctic and along the Antarctic Peninsula (to the Argentine Islands). The rock surface is colonized by a thin web of hyphae from which a horizontal thallus emerges resembling a dark crustose lichen. Numerous bacteria, cyanobacteria and algae are associated with the horizontal thallus and the prothallus, but without lichenisation. Vertical growth starts from the horizontal thallus developing unlichenised or lichenised stipes. Older vertical strap-shaped thalli form a mass of chondroid mechanical tissue composed of conglutinated hyphae without algae. The algae in the vertical thallus are either carried upwards during growth or incorporated from the environment. Ascocarp development is typical for the Parmeliaceae. The commonly small number of photobiont cells may explain the low primary production in relation to thallus weight. For nutrition the horizontal thallus seems to depend on the associated numerous algae, bacteria and cyanobacteria. The number of algal cells in the primordia of the vertical branches seem to be sufficient for energy gain and growth. The major part of the thallus of H. lugubris does not participate in energy gain only acts as supporting tissue and facilitates water transport. The lichen has a pronounced K-strategy. The definition of life-strategies in Antarctic lichens is discussed.