Lecideaceae

Lecideaceae is a family of lichen-forming fungi in the order Lecanorales. The family is characterized by its ascomata (fruit bodies) that are typically cup-shaped or cupulate, and its ascospores that are usually one-celled and ellipsoid. Lecideaceae is a diverse family, with over 1,000 species described worldwide. The family is distributed globally, with the highest diversity found in the tropics. Lecideaceae lichens are often found on bark, wood, or soil, and they play an important role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem health. The family is named after the genus Lecidea, which is the type genus of the family. Lecidea is a common genus in the family, with over 200 species described. Other notable genera in the family include Lecanora, which is a large genus with over 1,000 species, and Lecanoraia, which is a smaller genus with around 50 species. Lecideaceae lichens are often used in lichenometry, a technique used to estimate the age of rocks and other surfaces. The family is also of interest to mycologists and lichenologists due to its diversity and the unique morphological and chemical characteristics of its members.