Parmelia (fungus)
Genus of lichens / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Parmelia is a genus of medium to large foliose (leafy) lichens.[3]: 78 It has a global distribution, extending from the Arctic[4] to the Antarctic continent[5] but concentrated in temperate regions.[6] There are about 40 species in Parmelia.[7] In recent decades, the once large genus Parmelia has been divided into a number of smaller genera according to thallus morphology and phylogenetic relatedness.
Parmelia | |
---|---|
Parmelia saxatilis | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
Order: | Lecanorales |
Family: | Parmeliaceae |
Genus: | Parmelia Ach. (1803) |
Type species | |
Parmelia saxatilis | |
Synonyms[1] | |
It is a foliaceous lichen, resembling a leaf in shape. The ends of the leaf-like lobes are often squarish-tipped.[3]: 78 The upper surface is pale bluish-gray to light brown in direct sunlight, with a network web-like ridges and depressions.: 78 The lower surface is black and has rhizines anchoring it to the substrate.[3]: 78 In general, Parmelia have a dark lower side with rhizines ('rootlets') that attach the lichen to its substrate. The upper side may be several colours - grey, yellow, brown - and may have reproductive organs on it. These may be apothecia (ascospore-producing bodies), isidia or soralia (both vegetative structures). In between these two layers is the medulla, which contains the algal component of the lichen.