Parmeliaceae

Parmeliaceae is a large family of lichen-forming fungi that partner with photosynthetic algae or cyanobacteria. Its members include foliose and fruticose lichens.

Lichen: A stable association between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, usually an alga or cyanobacterium. Parmeliaceae fungi form the fungal partner in lichen symbioses.
Soredium: A small lichen propagule containing fungal hyphae and photosynthetic cells. Soredia disperse both partners together in many Parmeliaceae.
Parmelia: A genus of foliose lichen-forming fungi in the family Parmeliaceae. The genus gives the family its name and includes many leafy, lobed lichens.
Lecanoromycetes: A large class of mostly lichen-forming fungi in the phylum Ascomycota. Parmeliaceae belongs to this class of lichen-forming fungi.
Mycobiont: The fungal partner in a lichen association. Members of Parmeliaceae are mycobionts that build most of each lichen’s body.
Isidium: A small, corticated outgrowth of a lichen thallus that can detach and disperse. Isidia provide another way for Parmeliaceae lichens to reproduce vegetatively.
Xanthoparmelia: A genus of yellow-green, often rock-dwelling foliose lichens in Parmeliaceae. Its species illustrate the family’s diversity on exposed, sunlit substrates.
Ascomycota: A major fungal phylum whose members produce sexual spores in saclike asci. Parmeliaceae is nested within this fungal phylum.
Photobiont: The photosynthetic partner in a lichen, usually a green alga or cyanobacterium. Photobionts supply organic carbon to Parmeliaceae fungi.
Apothecium: An open, disk- or cup-shaped fungal fruiting body that produces spores. Sexual spores from apothecia must encounter a suitable photobiont to form a lichen.

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