Cryptothecia

Cryptothecia
Cryptothecia sp. growing on a tree in Chaco Province, northern Argentina
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Arthoniomycetes
Order: Arthoniales
Family: Arthoniaceae
Genus: Cryptothecia
Stirt. (1876)
Type species
Cryptothecia subnidulans
Stirt. (1876)
Species

See text

Synonyms[1]

Cryptothecia is a genus of white to greenish crustose lichens that grow on bark, wood, or leaves, in tropical or subtropical areas worldwide.[2] It has a conspicuous prothallus that develops around its periphery which can be bright red in some species, hence the common name wreath lichen.[3] The main vegetative body (thallus) lacks a cortex (ecorticate and is often immersed in the substrate or byssoid (whispy, like teased wool).[2] The medulla is white, well defined, and often peppered with calcium oxalate crystals.[2] Ascomata are not well defined, being cushions of soft white mycelium immersed in the medullary tissue, hence the name from the Greek krypto = "to conceal" and theke = "a container or sheath".[2] It contains Trentepohlia, a green alga, as its photobiont partner.

Two species have been described in North America.[3] At least one species, Cryptothecia rubrocincta, has been used in Brazil as a source of dye.[4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Species Fungorum synonymy was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Elix 2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Brodo, I. M., S. D. Sharnoff, and S. Sharnoff. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press: New Haven.
  4. ^ Mors, WB. 1966. Useful Plants of Brazil. Holden-Day, Inc., San Francisco. Page 57.