- Cryptothecia
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Cryptothecia 
Cryptothecia sp. growing on a tree in Chaco Province, northern Argentina. Scientific classification Kingdom: Fungi Division: Ascomycota Class: Arthoniomycetes Order: Arthoniales Family: Arthoniaceae Genus: Cryptothecia
Stirt.Type species Cryptothecia subnidulans
Stirt.Species C. atropunctata
C. candida
C. eungellae
C. exilis
C. inexspectata
C. rubrocincta
C. rubrocinctoides
C. scripta
...Cryptothecia is a genus of crustose lichen in the Arthoniaceae family.[1] The genus, thought to contain 75 species, has a widespread distribution, but is especially prevalent in tropical regions,[2] with only two species being recognized in North America.[3] It contains a green alga photobiont (Trentepohlia), and has a conspicuous prothallus that develops around its periphery which can be bright red in some species.[3]
At least one species, Cryptothecia rubrocincta, has been used in Brazil as a source of dye.[4]
Gallery
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The Christmas wreath lichen, Cryptothecia rubrocincta
References
- ^ Lumbsch TH, Huhndorf SM. (December 2007). "Outline of Ascomycota – 2007". Myconet (The Field Museum, Department of Botany, Chicago, USA) 13: 1–58. http://www.fieldmuseum.org/myconet/outline.asp.
- ^ Kirk MP, Cannon PF, Minter DW, Stalpers JA. (2008). Dictionary of the Fungi. 10th edition. Wallingford: CABI. p. 181. ISBN 0-85199-826-7.
- ^ a b Brodo, I. M., S. D. Sharnoff, and S. Sharnoff. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press: New Haven.
- ^ Mors, WB. 1966. Useful Plants of Brazil. Holden-Day, Inc., San Francisco. Page 57.
External links
Categories:- Arthoniomycetes
- Lichens
- Ascomycota stubs
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