Phyllopsora Explained

Phyllopsora is a genus of lichen-forming fungi in the family Ramalinaceae. It was circumscribed by Swiss botanist Johannes Müller Argoviensis in 1894, with Phyllopsora breviuscula assigned as the type species.

The characteristics of a fossilized Phyllopsora, P. dominicana, found in Dominican amber, suggests that the main distinguishing features of the genus have remained unchanged for tens of millions of years.

Description

The genus Phyllopsora is distinguished by its scale-like to almost leaf-like (foliose) body (thallus) that often has a distinct border (prothallus). Its reproductive structures, known as asci, have a unique feature: an amyloid dome and a narrow, cone-shaped central structure. The fruiting bodies (apothecia) of this genus are made up of highly gelatinized (jelly-like) fungal threads. These threads show no clear separation between the different structural layers of the apothecium, and this gelatinized texture is consistent throughout the central and marginal areas of the apothecium as well as in the supporting structures . The produced by Phyllopsora are small, with thin walls, and are typically not divided into separate compartments (rarely septate).

Species

, Species Fungorum accepts 48 species of Phyllopsora:

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