Roccellaceae

Roccellaceae is a family of lichen-forming fungi in the order Arthoniales. The family is named after the genus Roccella, which is included in it. The family contains about 20 genera and 200 species.

Taxonomy and classification

The family Roccellaceae was first described by the Swedish botanist Erik Acharius in 1809. The type genus is Roccella, which was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The family is classified in the order Arthoniales, in the class Arthoniomycetes, division Ascomycota.

The family contains about 20 genera and 200 species. Genera in the family include Arthothelium, Bactrospora, Dirina, Lecanactis, Opegrapha, Roccella, and Schismatomma.

Description and characteristics

Members of the Roccellaceae are lichen-forming fungi, meaning they form a symbiotic relationship with algae or cyanobacteria, which provide nutrients for the fungus. The fungal partner forms the main body of the lichen, while the algal or cyanobacterial partner lives within the fungal tissue.

The lichens produced by Roccellaceae species are typically crustose, meaning they form a crust-like growth on the substrate. They are found on a variety of substrates, including rock, bark, and soil.

Distribution and habitat

Roccellaceae species are found worldwide, with a distribution that spans tropical, temperate, and arctic regions. They are particularly diverse in tropical regions, where they are often found on rocks and tree bark in humid forests.

Economic importance

Some species in the Roccellaceae, particularly those in the genus Roccella, are used to produce orchil, a purple dye used in textiles. The dye is produced from the lichen's thalli, which are harvested and fermented.

See also

• List of lichen families
• Lichenology

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