XIV. Pyrenidiaceae
The only family of Pyrenocarpineae associated with blue-green algae. The genera of Pyrenidiaceae are all monotypic, only one is common and of wide distribution, Coriscium (Normandina Nyl.). Pyrenidium is the only member that has a fruticose thallus, and that is of minute dimensions. Eolichen Heppii, found and described by Zukal, is a doubtful lichen. “Lophothelium” Stirton is a case of parasitism of a fungus, Ticothecium, on the squamules of Stereocaulon condensatum.
| Algal cells Scytonema or Stigonema. | ||
| Thallus crustaceous[1042]; spores simple, colourless | 1. | *Rhabdopsora Müll.-Arg. |
| Thallus crustaceous; spores 1-septate, colourless | 2. | *Eolichen Zuk. |
| Thallus crustaceous; spores muriform, brown | 3. | *Pyrenothrix Riddle[1043]. |
| Thallus squamulose; spores numerous, simple | 4. | *Placothelium Müll.-Arg. |
| Algal cells Nostoc. | ||
| Thallus crustaceous; spores filiform, simple, colourless | 5. | *Hassea A. Zahlbr. |
| Thallus fruticose; spores elongate, 3-septate, brown | 6. | Pyrenidium Nyl. |
| Algal cells Microcystis (Polycoccus). | ||
| Thallus squamulose; fructification unknown | 7. | Coriscium Wainio. |
Series II. GYMNOCARPEAE
Subseries 1. Coniocarpineae
This small subseries is marked by the peculiar “mazaedium” type of fruit with its disappearing asci. It forms a connecting link between the families with perithecia and those with apothecia. The thallus is crustaceous or fruticose, often poorly developed and sometimes absent. The algal cells are Protococcaceae or rarely Trentepohlia.
XV. Caliceaceae
The thallus is thinly crustaceous, sometimes brightly coloured, sometimes absent, taking no part in the formation of the fruits; these have upright stalks with a small capitulum, and often look like minute nails. One genus, Sphinctrina, is parasitic on the thallus of other lichens, mostly Pertusariae.
| Fruits with slender stalks. | ||
| Spores simple. | ||
| Spores colourless | 1. | Coniocybe Ach. |
| Spores brown | 2. | Chaenotheca Th. Fr. |
| Spores septate, brown. | ||
| Spores 1-septate | 3. | Calicium De Not. |
| Spores 3-7-septate | 4. | Stenocybe Nyl. |
| Fruits with short thick stalks. | ||
| Spores globose, brown (parasitic) | 5. | Sphinctrina Fries. |
| Spores 1-septate, brown | 6. | *Pyrgidium Nyl. |